New England Patriots: 2 three-round NFL mock draft scenarios

The New England Patriots offseason is in full swing as they have done some nice things in free agency along with some basically average stuff.

In sum, it’s been a mixed bag but better than usual. Now, it’s time to turn to the next big phase of the process (unless a trade or two is managed prior) and take a look at prospects for the April NFL draft.

This exercise will present two possible three-round drafts for the New England Patriots that would rate A++ grades from this space, keeping in mind that the draft is a crapshoot at best, and mock drafts are a longshot roulette wheel on top of that.

One disclaimer, since the Patriots have myriad needs up and down the roster, addressing all of them in a three-round mock is impossible under the best of circumstances. Nevertheless, it’s worth a go.

New England Patriots best three-round draft option

The New England Patriots need to bolster their offensive tackle position even after adding four tackles in free agency.

Only two of those tackles are new, Riley Reiff, a solid if not spectacular right tackle, and Calvin Anderson, a former Patriot cast-off. The other two are Conor McDermott, a 2022 waiver-wire addition who performed surprisingly well late last season, and third-round pick, Yodny Cajuste who hasn’t.

The need for a young tackle remains. There are about four or five top tackles in this draft worthy of a first-round grade. In this mock, let’s assume that one of the top three, Broderick Jones from Georgia is available at pick 14. The Patriots should go ahead and take him there.

Jones is a long, accomplished tackle, and unlike his Georgia player, Isaiah Wynn, a 2018 former first-round pick who will be leaving, possesses excellent length for a left tackle.

In the second round, the choice here would be for a defensive tackle. Siaki Ika, a huge nose tackle, would be the choice here and a trade-up might be necessary to grab him before the New England Patriots own 46th pick. He’d be worth the freight.

Then in the third round (the team should keep that pick), the Patriots should go for the best wide receiver or cornerback available. Julius Brents of Kansas State, rated the eighth-best corner in the draft by draftwire.usatoday.com if available would be a solid choice.

Here’s what they have to say about Brents,

"Brents’ length stands out. The Iowa transfer has 34-inch arms at 6-foot-3, and Brents uses them effectively in trail technique. His relative lack of quickness and instant burst make him better-suited to a zone, where he can also attack as an above-average run defender."

New England Patriots alternative three-round draft

An alternative to the draft just noted would be one that is familiar in this space and the points won’t be belabored. The New England Patriots can, and maybe should, go counter-intuitive and draft super-explosive edge player Lukas Van Ness from Iowa.

Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!

Write for us!

Van Ness is the archetypal Patriot with the versatility to play all over the defensive front. He can be an edge rusher or deploy inside on passing downs to wreak havoc. He’s a star in the making.

With their second pick, the choice is an obvious one, that would be to move up the board to ensure drafting gigantic Ohio State offensive right tackle, Dawand Jones. Choosing Jones here is a no-brainer.

Then with the team’s third pick in the third round or first in the fourth, the team can go wide receiver. Xavier Hutchinson is projected in the third round by nfldraftbuzz.com. Here’s part of what they say about the Iowa State receiver,

"Xavier Hutchinson is a hugely productive wide receiver with great hands and an innate feel for the position. He however doesn’t have any elite athletic skills and only average deep speed. Despite this expect Hutchinson to continue to produce in the pros, maybe not at his level but still but at a level worthy of a third-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft."

That’s two options for the New England Patriots in next month’s draft. Who do you think they should draft in the first three rounds? We’d like to hear.