Here’s a 2020 NFL mock draft wish list for the New England Patriots who currently have 12 selections entering the draft.
This is a New England Patriots sort of mock draft. As I understand the term, mock drafts are prognostications of whom a certain team will choose in any of a number of professional sports leagues’ annual draft of college or other players. Draft experts at many levels of expertise put their reputations (at least for a few days!) on the line in trying to predict which player team A or B will select in the upcoming Draft. This isn’t one of those.
This exercise will be “An NFL Draft Wish List for the New England Patriots”. That’s it. If I had an opportunity to chart the draft in each round, using the picks they now have (which they won’t have during the draft), and, of course, if the players I selected were actually available when I’d select them (which they won’t be), these are the players I might select.
The most prominent and indeed interesting draft for me has always been and remains the annual NFL Draft. Football. The NFL does it up right. Pomp, ceremony, mega television coverage even by multiple stations.
As a New England Patriots fan, I have to confess that I am only concerned with the draft as it impacts the Patriots. That’s it. I could really care less what other teams do unless teams in the AFC East with a good draft could hurt the Pats or someone takes a player I want the Patriots to select before them. Note, the Patriots never select players I’d really like them to. OK almost never do. Hello Chase Winovich!
People used to say people like myself root for “the laundry”. Guilty as charged. If it ain’t blue, silver, red and white, it ain’t for me.
Preface for this rumored “exciting 7-round draft ‘wish list'” for the New England Patriots
Although this is a wish list draft for the Patriots, I am not going to draft the top 12 players in the NFL draft to fill the Patriots draft board. OK?
This actually will be an attempt to target players who might just be available at that point in the draft for the Patriots and who might make sense for them.
First round pick, No. 23: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
The New England Patriots are in dire need of offensive firepower in the NFL draft. But, in order to powder that infusion, they first need a quarterback. Why? uh, I think they just lost one.
My choice is clear. And it’s a reach, but, what the heck. It’s Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma.
Hurts’ selection should be no surprise for readers of my previous posts. The guy just gets it done. Is this a reach? Well, yes, maybe. So sue me. Who cares. He’s the right guy for the right team at the right time.
Hurts is a next-generation NFL quarterback. The Patriots thrived the past 20 years with another generational quarterback. The drop back, relatively immobile but stealthy in the pocket type. I’d say he did pretty well. But, his time (unfortunately) has passed in New England and it’s time to move on.
Hurts is a prototypical dual-threat quarterback. He can pass it. Pro Football Reference notes a just under 70% completion rate in 2019, 69.7% and that he ran for 1298 yards. So, he is what you might say, mobile. Ahah!
NFL defenses have for nearly 20 years schemed for an offense from the New England Patriots that was centered on a quarterback who was immobile and passed almost exclusively from the pocket. Well, drafting Jalen Hurts changes all that. Good luck opposing defensive coordinators.
Third round pick, No. 87: Harrison Bryant, tight end, Florida Atlantic
OK, so after reaching for the first-round pick, in the third round, I go with a slight need. Well, a bit more than a slight need. On the second New England Patriots pick, No. 87 late in the third round, I’ll go with tight end Harrison Bryant. I have explored this player previously.
Bryant is part one of a dual strategy to try to replace some aspects of what the greatest tight end in NFL history, Rob Gronkowski brought to the table. Gronk was the complete package, uncoverable in the passing game and a devastating blocker in the running game.
In a word, Gronk was unique and frankly irreplaceable. The New England Patriots eschewed the idea of drafting any tight ends last season (how boneheaded was that?) and paid the price. No production at tight end. At least not nearly enough.
Bryant helps fill in the pass-catching aspect of what Gronk brought to the table. Bryant’s measurables are good. NFL.com has him at 6’5″ and 243 pounds. Adequate size for a pass catching tight end.
NFL.com highlights his 2019 season:
"Bryant not only repeated his first-team all-conference selection in 2019, he earned first-team Associated Press All-American honors and won the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. He led all tight ends nationally with 65 receptions for 1,004 yards (15.4 per) while scoring seven times in 12 starts."
Bryant checks all the boxes for the pass-catching tight end that New England needs. If he’s available here, take him.
Third round pick, No. 98 – James Proche, wide receiver, SMU
The New England Patriots are desperate for productive wide receivers. Outside of Julian Edelman, they don’t have any. Speed would be nice, but more important is someone who can just catch the ball. Production, man! In Proche, that’s what they’ll get.
Julian Edelman had 100 catches last season and the next closest receiver was free agent departure Phillip Dorsett, with a mere 29. Not good enough, folks. Not nearly good enough.
So here’s Proche. How’s this look, according to NFL.com,
"Proche helped the Mustangs achieve a 10-win season in 2019, again earning first-team all-conference accolades after starting all 13 games, tying for the national lead with 111 receptions (1,225 yards, 11.0 yards per catch), ranking in the top five with 15 scores and returning punts (17 returns for 164 yards and an average of 9.6 yards)."
Early reports out of the Senior Bowl indicated according to NESN that, “Patriots Scouts Were ‘Gushing Over’ James Proche At Senior Bowl”. I usually take such reports with the proverbial “grain of salt’ looking at them as smokescreens or the Patriots trying to bait another club into taking him before they pick in the draft. By maybe not this time.
According to NFL.com, Proche’s measurables are that he’s 5’11” inches tall at 201 pounds. Not special. But that’s about Julian Edelman‘s size. He’s done OK. But it’s the production that’s the clincher for me with Proche. He catches the ball – a lot. And not only do the Patriots need tight ends who can do the same, but they also need a wideout who can complement Julian Edelman with catches, not promise.
I’m not sold on either N’Keal Harry or Jacobi Meyers who had 38 catches between them in 2019. This is the year they need to step up. But, Proche provides a guy who just flat-out catches the ball. NFL.com says he “has extraordinary ball skills” and “is an alpha with ball tracking, body control and razor-sharp focus, which makes him the favorite in contested-catch battles downfield.”
Proche sounds like a great fit for the pass-catching starved Patriots offense. Without No. 12, they will more than ever need talent at wide receiver and Proche can likely contribute immediately to that need for production.
Third round, No. 100 – Matthew Peart, offensive tackle, Connecticut
The New England Patriots need depth on the offensive line, almost everywhere. But their lack of depth at offensive tackle has to be addressed with a top pick.
The selection here is Matt Peart of Connecticut. Peart is not one of the very top offensive linemen in this draft. But he has measurables that are very Patriot-like and elite athleticism.
NFL.com lists Peart at 6’7″ tall with extremely long arms a real plus and puts his weight at 318 pounds. Not only that they cite his monstrous 40-yard dash at 5.06 seconds and a huge wingspan. For a man that big that’s F-22 Raptor speed and a B-2 Bomber size wingspan at 36 5/8″.
Peart may not be the finished product as his NFL.com seems to outline. But he has great tools to work with and absent going all-in on atop tackle with the option of moving Isaiah Wynn to the inside, Peart would be a nice option at this point in the draft, IF, and it’s a big if, he’s available at that point.
The fact of the matter is, the Patriots may have to move up a bit to get him and if they and their senior advisor Dante Scarnecchia think he has the talent, that might just be advisable.
Fourth Round No. 125 – Malik Harrison, linebacker, Ohio State
Staying true to form (my form not the Patriots’), the New England Patriots first four picks in the 2020 draft have been devoted to their terrible and now top quarterback-less offense. In the fourth round, we’ll now shift to the defensive side of the ball to shore up a position also depleted, this time by free agency. Linebacker.
The New England Patriots have lost key players on the linebacker corps from last year’s good squad. Underrated star Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and now former captain Elandon Roberts have left. The Pats have brought in Brandon Copeland, a big inside linebacker.
Copeland will ostensibly replace Robert on the inside. But versatile outside edge players Van Noy and Collins need replacement as well. That’s where Malik Harrison comes in if he’s still on the board.
There’s a lot to like about Harrison. Good size. NFL.com has him at 6’3″ tall and weighing 247 pounds and ran a 4.66 forty yard dash with a 36″ vertical. Nice speed and athleticism for the position. Just about right.
NFL.com notes,
"Harrison again proved himself a playmaker for the Buckeyes as a senior, garnering third-team Associated Press All-American and first-team All-Big Ten notice as the team’s leading tackler (75 stops, 16.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups in 14 starts)."
Nice production and they also note that Harrison:
"Experienced playing all linebacker spots Aggressive, downhill demon making plays near the line of scrimmage Stacks and stands incoming blockers with stiff, upward strike Uses length and build-up speed to pounce on his prey from backside Impressive change of direction for a big, tall linebacker"
Good production. Great program. Big games. Convinces me. The only possible problem again is, will he be available at pick No. 125? Let’s hope so.
Fifth round, No. 172 – Michael Warren II, running back, Cincinnati
My inclination here was to go back-to-back defense for the Patriots but the value at the position of need, defensive tackle just might not be there. I, therefore, will default to another need that I feel was a major deal-breaker for the Patriots last season, a big short-yardage back. Michael Warren II is the selection.
As with several of these picks, and all picks frankly, this one depends on how the board shakes out as the draft ensues. Teams that value one player higher will take him maybe a round early. Then hopefully in the Patriots case, a player at a position they need and like will fall to them. That’s the case again here, with Warren.
As I have written previously, Warren is a big back who is just what the doctor ordered for the Patriots. Last season, their lack of a running back to get them a yard or two for a first or a touchdown proved fatal to their playoff hopes. This failure I’ve noted previously cost them their season, in my view. Warren will remedy that need.
As NFL.com has pointed out, Warren lists at 5’9″ and weighs in at 226 pounds. They also say,
"He has a shot as an early down backup with short-yardage ability who can grab a catch here and there."
Bingo. Short-yardage back. Bang inside for a yard or two. Get the drive-extending first down. Get the rock into the end zone instead of settling for a field goal. The New England Patriots were victimized big-time by the lack of this type of runner on their team last season. Drafting Warren, and moving up if necessary to get him – a back that can do the following as described by NFL.com makes great sense.
"Creates yards after contact with size and force Has recorded 14 games with 100-plus yards and scored 36 total touchdowns since 2018 Makes big-man runs on goal-line and chain-moving downs Treats interior tacklers like bumper cars"
Mike Warren II, fifth-round pick if available.
Sixth round, No. 195: Kyle Markway, tight end, South Carolina
This pick represents the other half of the dual-headed monster tight end combination needed by the New England Patriots to replace some of the production of Rob Gronkowski. In this half of the monster, the blocking half is addressed.
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Markway is a blocking beast. That’s his thing. His forte. What he does. Patriots fans will recall Dwayne Allen who was on the Patriots’ last Super Bowl team in 2018. Allen was a non-entity as a pass-catcher. Almost nothing. But could he block. Indeed.
Allen was a component of an offense that used multiple skilled players (note, not “skill” players) to gain the prize. Allen’s skill was blocking. He was paid handsomely for it. Too much actually, but at least he delivered on the promise. Kyle Markway will fill that same function.
Profootballready.com sought to create what they called a “Franken-Gronk”. Realizing that they likely weren’t going to see the like of this multi-functional tight end, maybe ever again, they tried to assemble (or splice together) the best traits available from this year’s tight end class that when stitched together, would equal Gronk.
Here’s what Profootballready.com says about Markway,
"He possesses solid size at 6’4” 250 pounds and some decent power in his hands, but he makes his head way with his outstanding effort. The dude just gets after it in the run game. He often asserts his will on opposing defenders, often apart of the split zone concept that the Gamecocks often deploy. Playing in an H-Back role, Markway gets downhill in a hurry with some bad intentions. He often does some solid work in a more traditional inline role, showing an understanding for attacking leverage."
OK, “gets after it in the running game”. Good. “Asserts his will on opposing defenders…” Even better! Kyle Markway in the 6th round.
Sixth round, No. 204: Geno Stone, strong safety, Iowa
The New England Patriots are aging in the secondary. Twins Devin McCourty and Jason McCourty are nearing 33 years old and along with Patrick Chung are nearing the end of their careers. Even Steph Gilmore is approaching 30. Fortunately, the pipeline at cornerback is relatively solid but at safety, maybe not so much.
In this second sixth-round pick, the patriots help prepare for the looming loss of Patrick Chung, likely sooner rather than later.
A veteran with a lot of miles on him, Chung has really been a key player for New England in his second stint with the team, but his playing days are nearing an end. Chung will be 33 later this year and has been bedraggled by injury for many seasons. Age and wear and tear have taken their toll. Time to head toward the future with a replacement.
The Patriots recognize that and go strong safety here with Geno Stone from Iowa.
Stone is similar to Chung size-wise. NFL.com has him at 5’10” and weighing in at 207 pounds. I like their note on this trait,
"Stone’s football IQ is obvious, as he’s often triggering down on top of a route before the quarterback is even winding up."
Aha! Anticipation. That’s a great trait in any football player and for a strong safety, the ability to identify between run and pass is key since he has to defend against both.
Geno Stone, the Patriots second 6th round pick.
Sixth round, No. 212: Wide receiver, Binjimen Victor, Ohio State
There has been no shortage of criticism of New England’s wide receiver corps, including mine. To put it bluntly, it was third-rate last season when second-rate might have been good enough to get them into the Super Bowl. Take away Julian Edelman and his 100 catches and there was really nothing else. And no one else for opposing defenses to worry about.
With their third pick in the sixth round, New England doubles up on wide receiver and takes a flyer on a big, tall receiver from Ohio State, Binjimen Victor. As I’ve written before, Victor is a tall rangy receiver who will add another dimension to the New England receiving corps, length.
NFL.com specs Victor out at 6’4″ tall and weighing in at 198 pounds. In addition, they cite a solid 40-yard dash for a big receiver at 4.6 seconds, fairly long arms and a good vertical at 35″. NFL.com notes that those long arms add up to an 82″ wingspan. That’s catch radius friends.
NFL.com notes:
"Fluid and smooth when bounding in the air to reel in the throw Better wiggle post-catch than expected for leggy receiver"
Not super productive during his career at The Ohio State University, Victor is nevertheless the type of receiver who might just flourish with good coaching and be a reliable third or fourth option. His height adds another big receiver to the New England Patriots wide receiving corps. Their other taller receiver last season, N’Keal Harry was not productive in his rookie season. It’s Victor in the sixth round.
Sixth round, No. 213: Bravion Roy, defensive tackle, Baylor
New England lost massive and last year very productive defensive tackle Danny Shelton to free agency. They have added Beau Allen to help fill the position but adding another young productive player would be an asset. Bravvion Roy may be underrated but his stats tell a different story. He’d be a good fit for the Patriots.
Roy had a very productive year for the Naylor Bears in 2019. Espn.com notes his 5.5 sacks to go along with 35 solo tackles and 26 assists. That’s top production from an inside defensive lineman. New England also likes their interior guys big. Roy is big. Not tall, just big. ESPN.com has him checking in a 6’1 and weighing in at 333 pounds. That’s nice size for the middle.
Roy’s girth and his ultra-productive 2019 at Baylor without question warrant a look for New England with this, their final 6th round pick. He’s a need pick and very possibly a steal if he’s available at this spot in the draft. It’s a no-brainer.
Seventh round, No. 230: Dominik Eberle, kicker, Utah State.
With their first 7th round pick, the New England Patriots fill a need created by their releasing of long-time star kicker, Steven Gostkowski. Gostkowski was a fixture for 14 years in New England after replacing legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri.
In the 7th round, they move to fill that opening with one of the top kickers in college football last season and select Dominick Eberle from Utah State. Drafting kickers is still somewhat unusual, but in this case, it makes perfect sense for New England this offseason. The need is unquestionable.
The best placekicker in this draft may very well be Rodrigo Blankenship from Georgia. Frankly, if the Patriots drafted Blankenship higher in the draft, it would not be much of a surprise.
As NFL.com notes,
"He completed his career with the ultimate accolade, winning the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker. The first-team All-SEC selection made all 46 extra point tries and 27 of 33 field goal attempts (81.8 percent), including three of five attempts from 50-plus yards."
But, since we have gone in a different direction, Dominik Eberle is the choice here. Forbes notes that New England selected punter Jake Bailey last year in the draft and he ousted Ryan Allen from the starting spot. Eberle would have a golden opportunity to take the position if he is selected in the draft by New England.
CBSsports.com comments on Eberle,
"While he didn’t have the illustrious career of Blankenship, Eberle improved his statistics in each of his four seasons kicking for the Aggies. He made 87.5% of his kicks during his senior season, including hitting on eight of 10 from 40-plus yards. He did miss his only attempt of 50-plus though."
New England could roll the dice and make a move up the draft board for Blankenship. Yet, USA today cited Eberle as a possible draft option for New England after the Patriots parted ways with Gostkowski. Either way, New England would acquire a quality young kicker to replace Gostkowski.
With their unfailing dedication to strengthening this “third phase of the game”, special teams, it would not be surprising at all if they select a kicker in this draft. The only question is likely to be whether they move up to get Blankenship or settle for Eberle. We’ll see.
Seventh round, No. 241: Jonah Jackson. offensive guard Ohio State
The New England Patriots have yet to address their clear need in the interior of the offensive line. Assuming David Andrews is ready to go, there still is a need for a backup center. Guard also needs reinforcement. Unless they expend the draft capital on a versatile player like Cesar Ruiz very early in the draft, they will need to find an interior player to develop.
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A player who has position flexibility to play both center and guard in the NFL would be the best fit. A possibility with their last pick in the draft is Jonah Jackson, an offensive guard/center from Ohio State
Jackson might be someone who can fill in in a pinch and with coaching might become the adequate back-up (or more) at both positions the Patriots desperately need to fill. NFL.com has him at 6’3″ tall’, weighing in at 306 pounds and notes the following about Jackson:
"Guard/center prospect whose run-blocking and pass protection tape are polar opposites. He’s not a natural bender and the hand placement is rough, making sustaining blocks a challenge. However, the narrow base as a drive blocker turns into a wide, balanced base in pass sets. He’s a terrific processor of twists and blitzes who expedites his process and finds his work. If a team can improve the hands and body control they might have something, but he’s more likely a backup option for teams targeting pass protection inside at guard or center."
Good pass protector, but maybe not so good in the running game. OK, but having the position versatility to provide backup at both center and guard is a real positive, including in gameday roster formation. In a late 7th round pick, especially from Ohio State (though NFL.com notes he spent four years previously at Rutgers), he’s definitely worth a flyer.
As we have seen in the past (Andrews himself went undrafted), there are gems who can be found later in the draft and in undrafted free agency and Jackson just may be one of them. At least he would provide versatile backup options at two positions on the New England Patriots depleted by free agency. A good bet if available at the end of the draft.
New England Patriots 2020 “exciting 7-round draft ‘wish list'” final thoughts
So, there’s my humble attempt to put together an “exciting 7-round draft ‘wish list'” for the New England Patriots in 2020. In these trying times, I hope this provides a bit of a diversion for Patriot and draft fans who get a kick out of such things. I know that as a long-time draft fan, it’s always interesting to see what sportspeople and fans think about whom the Patriots might select.
Of course, any similarity between these “wish list” players and any players the Patriots actually draft will be purely coincidental and is frankly, impossible.