New England Patriots: 5 surefire predictions for 2021 NFL Draft

4. The New England Patriots will take a defensive back high and he will flop

It’s an annual right-of-passage and usually in an early-round that New England will take a defensive back who just can’t measure up to that lofty draft status. He won’t provide any help in his rookie season. May hang on in his second and then will probably be sent on his way by his third.

Some of the recents include the aforementioned Wilson; Joejuan Williams in the second round in 2019; Duke Dawson in the second round in 2018; Cyrus Jones in the second round in 2016; and, Jordan Richards in the second round in 2015. This really looks even worse on paper.

These are second-round picks who should contribute on special teams in their first season and as a back-up in case of injury, as well.

Or why not in some cases even start? In any event, he should be a solid player slated to start in a year or two. These guys could hardly play at all. So here’s a small piece of advice for the New England Patriots draft room:

"“Don’t draft a defensive back in the draft, at all. You have had great success actually in signing undrafted free agents at those positions who have been good. Or really, really, good, like Malcolm Butler and J.C. Jackson. Go in that direction, but please don’t draft them, especially with a high pick!”"