The critical 2021 New England Patriots draft occurs next week and if the team finally nail a draft, it could mean the NFL playoffs – and more.
The only thing one can predict about the Patriots drafting is its unpredictability. No one ever has a clue about what the heck these guys will do in the annual NFL draft lottery.
That may be a good thing, in a way. It keeps all the fans on their toes, that’s for sure. That includes all the Patriots’ so-called draftniks, of which this author considers himself a member.
The problem is, the Patriots have made too many head-scratching picks too high up in the draft that flopped to make a fan feel comfortable at all about their player personnel abilities.
New England Patriots need to nail the 2021 NFL Draft
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This year could be different though. They have a new player personnel man in charge in Dave Zeigler, and a clear mandate from owner Bob Kraft not to mess things up. Again.
Let’s hope those two developments keep the home team from making the same deleterious mistakes that not only cost them games, but also some Super Bowl titles in the past.
It’s already been written here that this team should stay away from drafting cornerbacks, wide receivers, and defensive tackles high up in the draft.
That would be a minimum of rounds one through three and probably the fourth round, as well. They just can’t seem to get those positions right high up in the draft, so just stay away.
They should concentrate their efforts this season on these positions; a top-flight quarterback, where the need is tremendous.
Then the offensive line where they are strong at the starting positions but lack good depth; and, third, Big running back.
There, years after their last big back LeGarrette Blount and his 18 touchdowns left in 2016, they haven’t had a basher or any other back who could get a first down or touchdown in short yardage.
So here we go with some names who would help fill these needs next week.
New England Patriots go up and get Trey Lance
There has been lots of speculation about the Patriots making a blockbuster trade (supported previously here) for one of the top 4 or 5 quarterbacks in the draft.
Like to see it but don’t really expect it. Supposing they do trade up to No. 4, the hope here is that Trey Lance from North Dakota State is the guy.
As a strong supporter of a dual threat at the helm of the offense, that should be no surprise. Lance fits the bill to a T.
He’s a true dual-threat weapon for any offense. Should New England make the unconventional move to go all-in on a trade way up, he’d be the one to get if available at No. 4.
Lance threw for 2786 yards with 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions in his last season in 2019. Nice stat line. He also ran for 1100 yards and 14 touchdowns with a 6.5 yard per carry average.
No question, he’s that dual-threat guy.
Walterfootball.com notes,
"“As a passer, Lance definitely has next-level ability. He has a strong arm capable of making all the throws for the pro level. Lance shows the ability to fire fastballs to the sideline and has no problem airing out deep balls. Overall, Lance has good accuracy, and his deep-ball precision is very impressive. He consistently lofts passes downfield to lead his receivers over the top of coverage. Lance also shows the ability to function in the quick passing game in the short part of the field, firing some bullets to move the ball. One of Lance’s impressive traits from 2019, especially for such a young player, was his poise. Lance is very calm in the pocket, and when rush is closing around him, it seems to be a non-factor to him. He will use his legs to buy time and does a nice job of keeping his eyes downfield. When he can’t dodge tacklers, he can rely on his big frame to help him shake defenders free. Lance displayed amazing pocket presence as a redshirt freshman.”"
So that’s the choice here if, IF, the Patriots decide to go all-in on a top quarterback. They should do so. On Lance.
They need a top young arm. One at or near the top of their draft. If not, and they see another Jimmy Garoppolo, fine. Then go and get him. That’s might work, too.
But the choice here is Lance, for whatever it takes.
New England Patriots still need offensive line depth
This necessity is equally important as securing the quarterback of the future. If you can’t protect Cam Newton and the new guy, you’re up the creek. So, make certain that you have the big bulls up-front to do the job.
It’s already been suggested previously in an article that Alabama guard, Deonte Brown should be the choice.
He’s a massive mauler and he’d be a great complement to Trent Brown or Michael Onwenu last season’s super rookie, upfront. Here’s the good news from collegefootballnews.com,
"The Good: If you can get past a few flaws and concerns, he’s a bulldozer of a blocker with the leverage missing from some of the other top guards who might be taller. No, he doesn’t quite look the part, and yeah, he’s not going to move much, but you’re not moving the guy off of his base. No, he’s not going to be for everyone, but yeah, if you want to blast away for the ground game, he’ll get it done."
So that’s a great backup or maybe a starter at guard. He’d probably cost a third-round pick. He’s well worth the investment. But tackle is another area that needs bolstering.
The suggestion here in the second round if he’s available is Sam Cosmi of Texas. Cosmi has the top height that the Patriots like in an offensive tackle at a listed 6’7″ tall and 307 pounds.
Here’s what and nbc.com site has to say about Cosmi,
"Cosmi is an athletically, lean pass blocker, who employs length and positioning to win against speed rushers. Although Cosmi isn’t a mauler in the run game, he is most effective within a zone blocking scheme. In that type of offense, he can utilizes his quickness, beat defenders to various spots and wall them away from the action…"
Cosmi may have to bulk up some but as a talent who can be great initial depth and maybe start in 2022, he’d fit in nicely on a Patriots team that is slim in talented back-up offensive tackles.
Cosmi may be available when/if they pick in the second round. Make the move.
New England Patriots select a big back
A constant theme here has been that the New England Patriots lack a big back. That deficiency has cost them dearly over the past two seasons.
But let’s refresh memories. The Patriots in 2019 and 2020 (and really since the 2016 season) have not had a big back on the team whom they could count on in short-yardage situations.
They relied on their quarterbacks to do that. Do it too often, you risk injury and a lost season. It’s as simple as that.
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The current stable of backs is made up of small or tweener backs with varying levels of ability. Yet none of them can get a yard or two to extend a drive or a touchdown from in close to the goal line.
It’s definitely time to remedy that situation and the mid-rounds of this draft are the place to do so. The suggested picks above are flexible as to where they can be selected.
If the top quarterback they want is actually a second-rounder, they may take him there. That’s fine, but you’re not going to get a personal favorite like Lance there.
Yet, a big back could come anywhere from the second to the fourth rounds and still get quality. A possible (you never know) second or third round option who fits is the previously mentioned, Rhamondre Stevenson from Oklahoma,
Here’s what walterfootball.com had to say about Stevenson,
"Team sources say Stevenson impressed them at the Senior Bowl, as he is a heavy downhill back who also was a good route-runner, pass blocked well, and caught the ball cleanly out of the backfield. They think he could become a starting workhorse back in the pros."
Sound just right and Walter Football has him going in the third or fourth rounds. That would fit nicely. They list him at 232 pounds, the size required to be a big back.
The New England Patriots should take Stevenson.
New England Patriots 2021 NFL draft summary
The New England Patriots should seek to come out of day 2 of the draft (the top 3 rounds) with at least three of the four priority positional players noted.
That’s, of course, unless a trade-up for a mega quarterback like Lance takes place and multiple high 2021 pick(s) have to be traded to make that happen. If so, fine.
They need a building block quarterback high up. If the big back or guard has to then come in the fourth or fifth round, that would work too.
They just need to provide good young depth at the positions mentioned, not the waiver wire types they have now as backups on the offensive line.
This is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. They also need that big running back, and not one selected on a late throwaway pick.
Later, you grab another smaller speed back to provide a breakaway threat. No more tweener backs, please.
That’s what a really solid draft by the Bob Kraft motivated and Dave Zeigler-led scouting team would look after next Friday.
One last caution, if you see wide receivers and defensive backs selected in those top three or four rounds, don’t expect much and you won’t be disappointed. You’ll be crying in your beer.
The chances of this team hitting on one of these positions (unless Zeigler and Kraft have shaken some sense into the operation) are slim and none.