It’s draft week! We are on the final stretch before Thursday’s NFL Draft and the New England Patriots being on the clock. If you’re not tired of the over-analysis, the millions of mock drafts, or ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr’s immovable hair, then we at least have that in common.
I have spent hours reviewing mock drafts, reading scouting reports, watching highlights, and scanning Twitter for any information about the prospects, and determining who would be great fits on the Patriots. With all that information, I produced my own mock draft, projecting what I believe the Patriots will do over the course of the three days.
And while I’m confident with my projections, that doesn’t mean I love every single selection. There are some players that stood out as probable fits, but I either couldn’t reasonably project these players to be selected by New England over my mock draft selections, or they may not fit the direction the Patriots want to go in for next season.
The following five prospects would be perfect for the New England Patriots, even if they don’t make it in my mock draft
The compromise is one of the players on this wish list did make it in my mock draft. But that’s only one of five. Just like the draft, you usually don’t get everyone you want. If the Patriots come away two or even three from this list, I would be ecstatic.
But I’d rather New England make the right selections every single time, whether that player is on this list or not. So let’s take a look at the Patriots draft wish list, starting with one of the most popular wide receivers available.
New England Patriots draft wish list item No. 1: WR Chris Olave, Ohio State
If the New England Patriots select a receiver early, it will probably be John Metchie III in round two. But if new director of player personnel Matt Groh is serious about being proactive when it comes to investing in receivers, then the Patriots should go get Chris Olave. It worked out really well the last time the Patriots drafted a receiver out of Ohio State in the first round (Terry Glenn, seventh overall, 1996).
Olave would be New England’s number one receiver the moment he walks into the locker room. As I’ve said about 100 times, Olave is arguably the best route runner in the year’s draft. With his quickness in and out of breaks, he would be tremendous working out of the slot.
But Olave also has deep speed, making him a potential game-breaker on the perimeter. Pairing Olave with Nelson Agholor outside would stress defenses to try and cover both of them down the field. That’s a very difficult assignment for any defense. If a defense can cover the pair, it leaves a lot of room over the middle for the tight ends and the slot receiver.
If the Patriots want Olave, they can’t, “…sit around, wait and hope to get one of these guys in the draft,” as Groh admitted. Olave probably won’t last until the 21st pick, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if some receiver-needy team spends some draft capital to trade up and nab the former Buckeye. Trading up for Olave would be worth it for the Patriots.
New England Patriots draft wish list item No. 2: LB Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati
One of my favorite New England Patriots players during the Bill Belichick era was Brandon Spikes. The big, physical linebacker from Florida was an intimidating tone-setter for the defense. When I watch Darrian Beavers, he reminds me of Spikes, big time.
Beavers tackles with bad intentions. He wants opposing players to really feel it when he hits them. Every time Beavers collides with a ball carrier, he’s delivering a message of what to expect all afternoon. If Beavers crunches enough victims, he will break a few wills along the way.
The question about Beavers is whether he fits what the Patriots are looking for at linebacker. There is a lot of talk that the New England Patriots wants to get faster at the position. Most of the fast linebackers in this draft are around 6-0, 230 pounds. Beavers was 6-4, 255 pounds at Cincinnati. To his credit, he lost almost 15 pounds in preparation for the Cincinnati’s pro day. And his test results were excellent, but not elite.
It’s also worth questioning if Beavers would be good enough in pass coverage. He can be good enough dropping into a zone, but can he cover a tight end or running back one-on-one? That’s a tough ask for a player of his size.
If Belichick still wants his linebackers to stack and shed, Beavers can do that. He would be an excellent enforcer on run downs, with some ability in pass coverage. He should be available in the second or third rounds.
New England Patriots draft wish list item No. 2: DE Josh Paschal, Kentucky
Josh Paschal is someone that is easy to root for. In 2018 he was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, was treated for it over the course of 12 months, and still played that season. He was also a three-time team captain, three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, and he also made the Dean’s List twice during his time at Kentucky.
Paschal is just as good on the field as he is off. He had 15.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks in 2021, as well as three career blocked kicks, showcasing his value on special teams. He was a member of the Associated Press First Team All-SEC, and has been called “the most underappreciated defensive player in the SEC” by SEC Network analyst Gene Chizik. Belichick finds value in underappreciated players all the time.
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Paschal bullies blockers in the run game. He practically rag dolls iso blocks and swallows ball carriers. He might not be a dominant pass rusher, but Paschal can pressure the quarterback from either the end or tackle spot. And he can have a role on special teams. Belichick would love Paschal’s versatility.
Paschal plays a lot stronger than his listed weight, enabling him to play in a 3-4 defense as well as a 4-3. And don’t rule out lining him up at outside linebacker sometimes too. Belichick would have a lot of fun finding ways to get the most out of Paschal.
To get their hands on versatile Paschal, it might require a trade to early in the third round. Numerous simulations have Paschal gone between New England’s 54th (second round) and 85th (third round) selections.
DT John Ridgeway, Arkansas
If the New England Patriots do draft a smaller, faster linebacker, or add another safety, this change in defensive philosophy won’t work unless they have a defensive line that can occupy blockers and keep the second level clean. Enter John Ridgeway.
In this age of football, Ridgeway is a throwback. Many defensive tackles are one-gap, rush up the field, attacking types. Ridgeway is a true nose tackle, stout at the point of attack, plays two-gap, and can occupy two blockers to allow linebackers to do their job.
Ridgeway’s addition to the defense would allow Davon Godchaux to move to end. Putting Ridgeway between Godchaux and Lawrence Guy could potentially be New England’s best trio for stopping the run, which was a problem for the Patriots last year.
For the long term, Ridgeway makes plenty of sense as well. Godchaux and Henry Anderson are free agents after the 2022 season. Anderson isn’t a lock to stay on the roster either, despite restructuring his contract. And Guy is approaching his 13th season.
In a year’s time, the D-line will be thin and in need of talent. The Patriots already knocked it out of the park by drafting Christian Barmore last year. Ridgeway would be another building block for the front line as the New England Patriots turn over the unit and build for the future.
Ridgeway should be in the conversation for best two-gap defensive tackle in this year’s class, as many of the DTs ranked ahead of Ridgeway are one-gap penetrators, save for Georgia’s Jordan Davis. The former Bulldog will be gone well before New England’s first round selection, but Ridgeway should still be available in the third to fourth round.
RB ZaQuandre White, South Carolina
In a very mediocre running back class, ZaQuandre White stands out, and not just for his name. Not taking anything away from Texas A&M’s Isaiah Spiller and Iowa State’s Breece Hall. They may be the best backs in this year’s draft, but White is my favorite.
Based on White’s highlights, he might be the most elusive workhorse in this year’s draft. To be clear, most elusive workhorse. There are smaller third down backs that are way quicker than White. But when you watch the tape, White just makes defenders miss.
It makes no sense. White’s Relative Athletic Score is a poor 4.15. He’s slow, had poor results in the 20-yard shuttle and 3-cone drills. But you wouldn’t think that was the case watching White start, stop, and change directions to get away from would-be tacklers.
To top it all off, at 6-0, 215 pounds, he’s built to carry the load and is a good receiver out of the backfield. Overall, White reminds me of LeSean McCoy, which seems like too much of a compliment.
Now do the New England Patriots need another back? No. They have the Damien Harris-Rhamondre Stevenson 1-2 punch. There’s concern that Harris will be a free agent after the season, but running backs don’t get paid, so New England should be willing to keep Harris. But if the Patriots want a back-up plan, White would be the best available if he lasts until day three.