The New England Patriots actually staying pat at the No. 15 spot in the 2021 NFL Draft is unlikely as the team making a blockbuster trade for Deshaun Watson.
If either of those two things happen, Patriots fans everywhere will be left in a state of shock.
Actually, given the history of Bill Belichick, it is more likely he trades back from that No. 15 spot for additional picks, as he could envision a player, he really likes available later in the first round or even into the second round.
Unless that No. 15 pick is actually used to obtain a player like Watson, the hope is the Patriots actually use the pick or even find a way to move up into the top 10.
The New England Patriots actually move up in the 2021 NFL Draft
While NFL mock drafts change on a weekly basis, let’s go with Belichick trading that No. 15 pick, along with a future second-round pick to the Denver Broncos for the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
It could take an additional player or pick to persuade the Broncos, but let’s pretend John Elway accepts what the Patriots offer.
Now with the No. 9 overall pick in the NFL Draft, what does Belichick do at that position. Is the move up into the top 10 a quarterback related move or a defensive or is there an offensive player he really loves and who he believes will be an impact player right away?
In this 2021 NFL mock draft, New England Patriots trades will be the talk of both Day 1 and Day 2.
Round 1 No. 9: Kwity Paye – Defensive lineman, Michigan
The New England Patriots will create some buzz with the deal with the Broncos swapping the No. 15 pick and No. 9 pick, but fans will be quickly disappointed when they pass on a quarterback and exciting tight end Kyle Pitts and go defensive.
That’s right, Bill Belichick will dip back into that Michigan pool and select defensive lineman Kwity Paye with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
This selection will make more sense later, but for Belichick to select that high in the draft, he will go with an athletic defensive lineman who has a knack for blowing up plays in the backfield.
With speed on defense being one of the team’s flaws in 2020, the selection of Paye will be addressing an immediate need as well as playing it safe.
As a player who is driven to succeed, the 6-foot-4, 277-pound Michigan Product appears to still have some of that untapped potential Belichick loves getting out of players. Not only does he add speed on that defensive line, but he could also give the Patriots that defensive end presence who can get to the quarterback the team has been missing since Trey Flowers left in free agency.
Paye will be a head-scratching selection due to who the Patriots could’ve selected at the position, but again in the eyes of Belichick it will be a draft selection that he believes will make his team better.
In all, it’s the upside that will intrigue Belichick on a player who could be there at No. 15, but the New England Patriots coach will move up to get him.
Round 1 No. 25 : Pat Freiermuth – Tight End, Penn State
Trade alert! Patriots send Stephon Gilmore and No. 144 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars for No. 25 overall.
Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft will continue to be an eventful one of the New England Patriots. Not only will the Patriots move up in the draft to select a defensive player, but they will also trade former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the No. 25 overall pick in the NFL Draft to select Penn State tight end Pat Freirmuth.
This selection may have something to do with how free agency goes and whether or not the team pays top free agent tight end Hunter Henry.
In Freirmuth they would be getting a similar talent as the No. 2 ranked tight end entering the draft stands at 6-foot-5, 260 pounds. As a pure pass-catching tight end, Freirmuth is an above average route runner who goes up and gets the football. He most in improve on his blocking skills, but the Andover, MA native still has tremendous upside.
Coming off a junior season at Penn State in which he had 23 receptions for 310 yards, Pat Freirmuth won’t be a popular pick at that position, but Patriots fans will be excited that Bill Belichick is addressing an obvious need on the team beyond free agency.
Round 2 No 46: Kyle Trask – Quarterback, Florida
If Mac Jones doesn’t somehow slide to the second round, look for the New England Patriots to select 6-foot-5, 240-pound quarterback Kyle Trask out of the University of Florida.
With the re-signing of Cam Newton, many would expect the Patriots to go after a Trey Lance early in the first round, but Bill Belichick will address other areas of need because he will believe a player like Trask could excel with a year or two under the guidance of Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
In selecting Trask, the Patriots will be turning back the clock a bit as the Florida product is not a mobile quarterback. He also does not have a strong arm, but he is an extremely accurate passer who McDaniels would love.
Coming off a season in which he threw for 4,283 yards and 43 touchdowns again eight interceptions, Trask really proved his ball placement ability which will intrigue the Patriots who have thrived on a short passing game for decades with Tom Brady under center.
In all, this is a safe, but not sexy pick for the New England Patriots at the quarterback position. He doesn’t process ideal athleticism at the position, but his ability to orchestrate the quick passing game will make him more of a game manager early in his career. With the right coaching and experience he can transform into a pretty solid starter in the NFL.
If that sounds familiar, it is how Brady started his career under Belichick. Don’t be surprised if the Patriots see a similar path (although not as successful) for this quarterback prospect.
Round 3 No. 96 (compensatory/Brady) Trade alert!
Patriots trade No. 96, No. 196 and OG Shaq Mason to the Cleveland Browns for Odell Beckham Jr.
The New England Patriots not selecting a wide receiver in the earlier rounds will make sense with this Day 2 blockbuster trade in which Bill Belichick finally gets Odell Beckham Jr.
This will also be a major reason why the team re-sign Cam Newton as these two are buddies off the field.
More from Chowder and Champions
- 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
- 10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster Deadline
- MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
- 3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 Season
- Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
With the Browns pretty adamant that they are not willing to trade Beckham Jr., this deal will make sense for the Browns in what they receive in return for the star wide receiver.
Leaning on a power running game with the duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, obtaining a physically guard like Shaq Mason would address a need along the offensive line. They also proved they can win without Beckham as Baker Mayfield will still have plenty of offensive weapons to throw to.
As for the Patriots, with the addition of Trent Brown, they will be able to shift Isaiah Wynn into the guard position along with Michael Owenu. Right tackle Marcus Cannon will be back, so the offensive line would still be one of the best in the NFL even without Mason.
Of course, Beckham will assume that No. 1 receiver role once he is fully healthy. His chemistry with Newton should make this a win-win trade for both sides. This trade will create more optimism and excitement for Patriots fans because of a few surprise signings in free agency.
Round 4 (compensatory/Collins) No. 139: Drew Seers – Linebacker, Lindenwood University
Bill Belichick will dip back into the defensive talent pool with the No. 139 pick in the NFL draft by selecting linebacker Drew Seers out of Lindenwood University.
Who?
Out of where?
If you are a New England Patriots fans, you have to know it wouldn’t be an NFL Draft without Belichick selecting some player no one has ever heard of.
But, with the success of 2020 top draft pick Kyle Dugger, Belichick will take another shot at a Division II player with athleticism and upside and a whole lot of versatility.
At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Seers is a quick linebacker who has played on offense early in his football career. He has played slot receiver, tight end, running back and fullback, enough to make Belichick drool at all the possibilities of this player.
As a prospect the Patriots could probably draft in the later rounds, Seers was named first-team All-American by the Associated Press in 2019. That year he also took home the GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 13.5 tackles per game.
For a fourth-round pick, Seers is worth a shot as will most-likely be a player who can be utilized in special teams early in his career and morph into a solid rotational linebacker as he gains experience in the NFL.