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Patriots 2021 NFL mock draft 3.0: Bill Belichick shocks the NFL

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: Quarterback Davis Mills #15 of the Stanford Cardinal sets to pass in the fourth quarter of the game against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 7, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
2021 NFL Draft Nico Collins. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4 No. 122:  Nico Collins – Wide receiver, Michigan

The New England Patriots won’t be able to stay away from Michigan players as they select wide receiver Nico Collins with the No. 122 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Bill Belichick has not been successful drafting wide receivers in the higher rounds, so this is a pretty safe pick in the fourth round.  Actually, the fourth round is where the team selected Malcolm Mitchell, who had a decent rookie season with the team and went on to contribute to the team’s Super Bowl win the year the team drafted him.

A chronic injury derailed Mitchell, but he was on path to be a pick Belichick actually hit on at the wide receiver position.

811. . Wide Receiver. Wolverines . Nico Collins. 122. player

At 6-foot-4, 216 pounds, Collins is a bigger wide receiver who may be able to give the team what 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry has not been able to give the team through his first two seasons in the NFL.

A big possession type receiver with reliable hands, Nico Collins won’t impress you with quickness, but like Harry can go vertical and fight for the ball.  If the team does trade Harry, Collins would be a nice player who can come in and be that big wide receiver target.

Not knocking Harry’s worth ethic, but hard work is Collins’ middle name which makes him an ideal fit for the New England Patriots.

In his last complete season at college, Collins logged 37 catches for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games played.  Given the Big Ten cancelled the 2020 season, Nico Collins could be one of those players who may have played himself higher up in the draft had there been a season.

This will be a good pick for the Patriots, especially given their recent success in selecting players out of the University of Michigan.

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