The biggest stories in the upcoming
will be where the top 5 quarterback talent ends up and what the
do in the draft, particularly what is going on in the noggin of
.
Will these stories be linked?
Could one of the top 5 quarterbacks end up in New England by way of trading up or someone falling to them at the No. 15 pick?
Those are some intriguing questions that will more than likely result in some fascinating answers, especially when it comes to Belichick.
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With the most glaring need being at the quarterback position, it would be a big story if the Patriots do or do not select a quarterback in the first two rounds.
If this final NFL mock draft that big question will definitely be addressed, but keep in mind, what we feel the Patriots should do is not exactly what they end up doing. There will be some head scratchers and throwing things at the TV, but if the draft approach really has changed, Mr. Belichick will draft team needs vs drafting some player out of left field who may be good at special teams.
So, let’s start with a big draft day trade that will finally answer that quarterback question that has been dominating the rumor mill leading up to the draft.
Round 1 No. 8 (trade with Carolina Panthers for 2021 No. 15, No. 96 and 2022 1st round pick) – New England Patriots select Justin Fields – QB Ohio State
Let’s go with Bill Belichick actually riding the rumors and trading up in the top 10 to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
With Cam Newton as a mentor, I believe Fields represents the perfect combination of what the New England Patriots may be looking for in a young franchise quarterback. Not only does he have arm strength and the ability to maneuver around in the pocket, but he also has a winning attitude and can certainly be coached up by both Belichick and Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
As his draft stock has fallen (for whatever reason), Fields is really setting up to be the steal of the draft. With Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones and even Trey Lance projected to go higher than him, Fields dropping down in the top 10 is the perfect set up for a team like the Patriots.
Of course, teams like the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears and even Carolina Panthers stand in the way, but those teams at least have a quarterback in place and may not be as desperate as New England, even with the team putting on the mirage that they are content with riding with Newton.
Overall, the talent, size and toughness of Justin Fields will excite Patriots fans extremely and will set up an interesting new drama involving him and his pending relationship with Belichick.
Alas, the most talked about coach and the most talked about quarterback talent in the 2021 NFL Draft will be united and it will provide for a pretty juicy summer throughout the New England region and obviously throughout the NFL.
Round 2 No. 46 – New England Patriots select Eric Stokes – CB Georgia
The New England Patriots would add fuel to the Stephon Gilmore trade rumors with the second-round selections of Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Eric Stokes.
With J.C. Jackson gearing up to be the team’s top corner, Belichick will add more youth and talent to the secondary by adding the 6-foot-1, 194-pound Stokes who was a second-team All-SEC selection in 2020.
Along with the speed he would add to the secondary, he is a versatile defender who is physical, challenges the ball and most-importantly for Belichick, Stokes can play special teams as well.
While most fans may be cringing at Belichick taking a corner in the second round given his recent draft history, Eric Stokes has the upside to have more success in New England than former second-round picks Duke Dawson and Cyrus Jones.
With the jury still out on JoeJuan Williams, Belichick will finally hit on a cornerback high in the draft.
Despite glaring weakness that include defending the run, Stokes is a player who could be one of the steals of the draft and wouldn’t it be classic Bill Belichick to find his Gilmore replacement in this spot.
Round 3 No. 74 (Trade with the Washington Football Team for N’Keal Harry and No. 122) – New England Patriots select Dylan Moses – LB Alabama
Don’t worry, Bill Belichick will dip into that Alabama talent pool by selecting linebacker Dylan Moses with the No. 74 pick in the NFL draft acquired in a deal with the Washington Football Team in exchange for N’Keal Harry and the No. 122 overall pick.
At 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, this outside linebacker is the prototypical New England Patriots linebacker who can read defenses and attack the run, much like Dont’a Hightower.
With his sideline-to-sideline range, Moses is a great option in the third round as he will be able to learn under veterans like Hightower, Matthew Judon and Kyle Van Noy while joining a young linebacker core of Chase Winovich, Ja’Whuan Bentley and Josh Uche.
Though he is coming off a underwhelming senior year at Alabama, his athleticism, football IQ and defensive discipline will appeal to Bill Belichick who will see a player he can gloom, especially as a third-round pick.
In all, there is a high-reward opportunity in Moses. The fact that Belichick will draft back into the third round to get him will pretty much prove how the Patriots value his potential in their defensive system.
Round 4 No. 120 – New England Patriots select Tommy Togiai – DT Ohio State
The trend of drafting on defense will continue into Day 3 with the selection of defensive tackle Tommy Togiai.
This was a big position of need prior to free agency, as the team lacked both size and depth along the defensive line.
Since then, Bill Belichick has added Davon Godchaux, Montravius Adams and Henry Anderson to a depth chart headlined by the return of Lawrence Guy. Along third-year player Byron Cowart, players like Akeem Spence and Tashawn Bower will also compete for playing time and you can add this big defensive tackle from Ohio State to the mix.
Voted second-team all-conference in the Big Ten, Togiai played all eight games in his final season for the Buckeyes racking up 23 total tackles and three sacks. His two pass breakups showcase a 296-pound defensive player with some athleticism.
With the strength and motor to fight through blocks, Togiai will be a nice, mid-round pick to add to the current mixture of veterans and youth along that defensive line.
Although slightly undersized, Tommy Togiai is one of those players who could strive in New England under Belichick who would put him in the best position to succeed given his strengths.
Round 4 No. 139 – New England Patriots select Rhamondre Stevenson – RB Oklahoma
With their second fourth-round pick, the New England Patriots will address the running back position with the selection of Oklahoma Sooners big back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Stevenson is a one-dimensional, short-yardage type back, but that is okay given what Damien Harris and Sony Michel bring to the table. But just because he is a big back at 6-foot-0, 235 pounds, don’t sleep on Stevenson’s ability to provide some explosiveness.
At the junior college level, Stevenson exploded for over 2,000 yards and 16 touchdowns on 222 carries back in 2018 before making the leap to Division I.
Although he didn’t quite put up those numbers at Oklahoma, a team like the Patriots may look at his performance and ability and see a player they can utilize as a big-back down-hill runner with some ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
In his final season at Oklahoma, Stevenson rushed for 665 yards and seven touchdowns on 101 attempts while playing just six games. He also caught 18 balls for 211 yards.
Now given the injury history of both Harris and Michel, this is a nice pick for the Patriots as it appears Stevenson is ready to explode again when given the opportunity.
Round 5 177: New England Patriots select Seth Williams – WR Auburn
Finally, the New England Patriots will select a wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft.
After trading N’Keal Harry, Bill Belichick will look at a player with similar size to fill the void when he targets Seth Williams out of Auburn.
At 6-foot-3, 212 pounds, Williams is an athletic wide receiver who can go up and get the ball, which makes him an ideal red-zone target…you know what Harry was supposed to be.
In finishing his college career with 760 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, Williams showcased some big game ability with a 112-yards receiving performance in a game against Kentucky.
Although more a possession receiver, his quickness as a bigger receiver will make him a nice target for whoever the Patriots have at the quarterback position. He is also an effective downfield blocker which makes him even more attractive to the New England Patriots.
While Patriots fans my want a receiver higher in the draft, the addition of Seth Williams in the fifth round will look very good once a No. 1 receiver is added via a blockbuster trade. Who that veteran star is will be a shocker, but won’t be a huge surprise.
There is my bold draft day prediction.
Round 6 188: New England Patriots select Brenden Jaimes – OT Nebraska
The New England Patriots add some offensive line depth late in the draft with the selection of Brenden James out of Nebraska.
Standing at 6-foot-5, 298 pounds, Jaimes could be coached up as the next right or left tackle.
Although the offensive line is one of the team’s strengths, Trent Brown is only on a one-year deal and depending on how he performs in 2021, the Patriots could find themselves looking for the next left tackle sooner than expected. Expect Bill Belichick to add some insurance here.
Round 6 197: New England Patriots select Isaiah McDuffie – LB Boston College
Bill Belichick will add another linebacker here by dipping into the Boston College talent pool.
With that energy and work ethic Belichick loves in his defensive players, Isaiah McDuffie is an ideal late-round selection who has the potential to make the team as a contributor on special teams while he works his way to getting reps on defense.
At 6-foot-1, 227 pounds, he is undersized, but has the ability to play the inside linebacker role.
Round 7 242 : New England Patriots select Brady Breeze – S Oregon
Another Brady comes to New England by way of Brady Breeze out of Oregon.
As a player who opted out of the 2020 season, perhaps Breeze will be a surprise as a player taken in the seventh round. Like the other defensive players, we have Belichick selecting in this draft, Breeze plays with a lot of energy and is a big-time hitter.
Given the current depth the Patriots have in the secondary, Brady Breeze has special teams written all over him, but like McDuffie, could work his way to earning reps on defense…if he makes the team.