Resetting the New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft priorities now that Tom Brady is no longer walking through that door.
The departure of 20-year quarterback fixture Tom Brady for Tampa Bay (ugh) makes it mandatory to reset the New England Patriots draft priorities for next month’s 2020 draft.
Brady’s departure has turned the 2020 draft on its head, while making every Patriots fans’ heads spin at the same time. One man’s departure can change the entire nature of an offseason. Brady’s has. And in this case, it’s changed the entire face and features of the franchise.
Previously, I’d strongly advocated for an offensive lineman, especially an offensive left tackle in the first round of the draft. I’d still not be disappointed if Mehki Becton arrived at Gillette Stadium in late April as the Patriots first round pick. Not in the least.
Becton’s Trent Brown-like size (almost) and ability would resolve the 2nd most important position on the team for a decade or more.
Due to Brady’s departure, I’ve had to rearrange my own wish list for the Patriots in the April draft. Perhaps, and I say that guardedly, perhaps they may also adjust their goals, as well. It would seem that those priorities have to change. Tom Brady is gone – and in my view, all earlier draft bets are off.
So, here is my priority list for the positions that the New England Patriots should address in the first three rounds of the draft post-Brady.
The New England Patriots have four total picks in those rounds: one in the first round, No. 23 overall, and three late in the third round.
And yes, I do hope they keep all those picks, use them for a change and refrain from all the meaningless maneuvering all over the draft board for whatever reason.
New England Patriots’ first round pick, a quarterback
As noted above, assuming Tom Brady had stayed, I had previously, strongly advocated an offensive lineman, preferably an offensive left tackle, as the preferred top priority for New England Patriots in the first round of the 2020 draft. Protect Brady at all cost. That’s out-the-door with Brady’s defection. The question is, who will they be protecting?
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The Patriots have Jarrett Stidham an untested quarterback who had one year of apprenticeship behind Tom Brady and veteran Cody Kessler. Stidham threw 4 passes in anger according to Pro Football Reference last season. 4! That’s not where they need to be. I’m not a huge adherent of the prospect of acquiring a veteran quarterback although Jameis Winston is one talented QB. But absent signing Winston or possibly Cam Newton, the Patriots need to draft a quarterback high in the draft, like their first round pick high in April.
I’ve raised the flag as has colleague William Hyland in an excellent article for Jalen Hurst the multi-purpose and talented quarterback from Oklahoma. Hurts should be available in the first round when the Patriots select. Some may think it a bit of a “reach”, if so, then reach.
Hurts will immediately infuse an aspect to the Patriots game that they haven’t seen in, well, maybe ever., except for short time with Doug Flutie maybe. That’s mobility. Add to that excitement, and New England fans will need that after the depressing sight of Tom Brady in a Tampa Bay uniform.
But whoever it is, they need a quarterback to build around and on that first round pick.
New England Patriots’ third round pick, a Tight end
One option at tight end whom I’ve written about might be Harrison Bryant from Florida Atlantic. He’s a pass catcher. He’d check that box.
First, they need a pass catching tight end to add that dimension back into their offense post Rob Gronkowski. Later they absolutely need to bring in a blocking tight end.
I’ve suggested Kyle Markway of South Carolina with one of their later picks. He’s a bulldozing blocker. Either or someone like him will do. Second box checked.
Whomever they draft, they need to fill these tight end position specifications in the draft or free agency. A pass catcher and a blocker. A must. Combinations of the two are highly sought after and seldom available and certainly very unlikely available in the third round. So be it.
New England Patriots’ third round pick, a Wide receiver
It’s no revelation that the New England Patriots wide receiver corps (if you can call it that) last season didn’t perform. It was Julian Edelman and nobody. This has to be rectified and I’d say address it with multiple picks in this draft.
I previously suggested Denzel Mims of Baylor. Not happening in the third round. Mims crushed the combine and he’ll be long gone by them. Nevertheless, the New England Patriots need a massive infusion of talent at wide receiver.
In the third round, they need to take the best route-runner available with speed. Someone who can get open. That’s priority No.1. They need more speed at wideout.
Secondly, later in the draft, they can use maybe two more of their 7 late round picks (5th, 6th and 7th rounders) on wide receivers. Maybe one on a big body who can outreach smaller defensive backs and one on another pure speed burner. Bring in young talent at wide receiver.
New England Patriots’ third round pick, Offensive line
Previously, I wrote about the top priority for the New England Patriots if Tom Brady stuck around was to add a dominant offensive lineman to the team, preferably an offensive left tackle like Mehki Becton. (Yes, I really like Beston.) That would have taken a huge move up the draft and the investment of multiple picks to get him. Is he worth it?
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In my opinion, absolutely. Would they have done it? No.
In this situation in the draft now, their best option is to take the best offensive lineman available. They have needs all over the offensive line. Tackle is a need. Isaiah Wynn is terrific but undersized and Marcus Cannon is costly and getting older.
Offensive guard is also a need. The Patriots franchised their best offensive lineman Joe Thuney and he might remain unless traded. But they lost depth at guard and center as backup at both positions, Ted Karras evidently is heading for Miami.
The New England Patriots need depth at both guard and center. A hybrid center/guard like Cesar Ruiz from Michigan would be a perfect solution, but he won’t be available here. He’ll go higher. A trade up for Ruiz would make good sense if he slips in the draft. Keep an eye on this one.
New England Patriots likely scenario
This prescription for the New England Patriots is just that, a suggested strategy for filling gaping holes in the post Tom Brady squad. This scenario is centered on offensive players solely and is predicated on the fact that their offense last season was pitiful. That’s all. The likelihood of any of this transpiring in the actual draft is none and none.
Trying to handicap the Patriots draft is beyond impossible. Rather, this exercise is an expression of how this author would approach the draft sight unseen.
Of course, the actual draft is totally unpredictable, absent maybe the first few picks in the first round. Players “slipping” and moves by other teams alter the landscape with every pick. That’s what makes it so much fun. And perusing all the futile mock drafts around is also a blast, for some of us.
That’s why the draft had always intrigued me for more years than I’d admit. In a little more than a month, the New England Patriots will without question disappoint us. That’s what they do. Until then, keep speculating.