New England Patriots 7-Round Mock Draft After Start of Free Agency
We've likely all talked at one time or another about how the New England Patriots don't take a conventional approach to the construction of their roster. If there were any questions about the idea, we only need to take a look at the first week of 2017 free agency for confirmation.
New England swung for the fences early, landing Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a five-year, $65 million deal. Head coach Bill Belichick and Co. then orchestrated trades to acquire tight end Dwayne Allen, defensive end Kony Ealy and wide receiver Brandin Cooks.
These moves could make the Patriots even more dangerous than they were in 2016, but the trades will also leave the team without a pick until Round 3 this April. The good news is that New England still has seven draft choices and has never really relied on high picks to build its team anyway.
Let's take what we've seen and learned over the first week of free agency and make some fresh predictions for the seven picks the Patriots hold. We'll run down the picks that New England has and make our choices for each based on factors like player potential, team fit and team needs.
Round 3 (72nd Overall)
1 of 7
Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Former Washington cornerback Sidney Jones was expected to be one of the first cornerbacks off the board this April. Unfortunately, the torn Achilles he suffered at Washington's pro day could leave Jones trending as a third-round pick at best, according to NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah.
"Because of depth at the position and with the injury, I'd be surprised if he went before the third round," Jeremiah explained, per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.
While what happened to Jones is truly disappointing, it would feel very Belichickian to somehow turn the injury into a positive for the Patriots. Would there be a single soul surprised to see the team snag Jones in the middle of the third round?
Sure, Jones might not reach the field as a rookie, but his upside is tremendous. Plus, it's not like we haven't seen Belichick scoop up injured players before. (Rob Gronkowski, anyone?)
Considering the team just brought in Gilmore, cornerback might not be seen as a big need right now. However, this could change quickly. The team already said goodbye to Logan Ryan, and rumors suggest that Malcolm Butler isn't happy.
According to Michael Giardi of CSN New England, Butler is "extremely frustrated" with his lack of a contract in the wake of Gilmore's signing. Per Giardi, Butler "wants [a] new home."
With more than a full year to recover, Jones could potentially step in as Butler's replacement in 2018.
Round 3 (96th Overall)
2 of 7
Rasul Douglas, CB, West Virginia
With Ryan gone and Butler unhappy, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Patriots load up on defensive backs this year, even with Gilmore joining the crew. Due to his size (6'2", 209 lbs), former West Virginia cornerback Rasul Douglas could be an interesting option.
Douglas' size and range could allow him to step in as a rotational cornerback or even a long safety. He ran a 4.59-second 40-yard dash at the combine, which is a bit slow for a corner but not terrible for a safety. Douglas could be a guy New England brings in to man up with tight ends.
The Patriots should also like Douglas' knack for consistently being around the football. Last season alone, he amassed 70 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and eight interceptions.
"(Eight) is a lot of interceptions. That's making plays," NFL legend Deion Sanders said of Douglas, per Chris Anderson of CBSSports.com. "That's the difference between good and great."
Versatility, size, production and physicality are all traits the Patriots should be looking for in a defensive back. They're all traits that Douglas can potentially bring to the field as a pro.
Round 4 (131st Overall)
3 of 7
James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh
Former Pittsburgh running back James Conner might not possess a ton of breakaway speed (he ran a 4.65-second 40 at the combine) but he does possess exceptional size for the position. At 6'1" and 233 pounds, Conner is a brute who can move the pile and dish out punishment to would-be tacklers.
Interestingly, the Patriots have a vacancy for just such a player, as LeGarrette Blount remains unsigned.
Conner used his size to batter his way to 1,092 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2016. He averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry. He also showed off his receiving skills with 21 receptions, 302 yards and four more scores.
While injury concerns exist for Conner (he had a torn MCL in 2015), there should be few mental questions after the running back battled back from Hodgkin lymphoma to play in 2016.
"They want a tough guy. My mental toughness and my physical toughness, I feel, is second to none," Conner explained, per the Observer-Reporter. "I just have been through so much and I think I'm more determined than any running back in this class."
As is the case at cornerback, the draft is expected to be deep with backfield talent. This is why landing a long-term replacement for Blount in Round 4 is entirely possible.
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Round 5 (163rd Overall)
4 of 7
Josh Carraway, DE, TCU
While the draft is undoubtedly deep at cornerback and running back, it's also deep with edge-rushers. This is precisely why a guy like TCU's Josh Carraway could be available in the fifth round.
Carraway doesn't possess eye-popping size (6'3", 242 lbs) and he isn't a truly aggressive defender. However, he does have above-average edge-rush quickness. Carraway ran a 4.72-second 40 at the combine.
"No, he's not the toughest guy out there, but neither was Bruce Irvin when he came out," one unnamed NFL scout told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein. "Do you remember that? I'm not saying he's Irvin, but those players with pass-rush traits usually go higher than you expect them to. Coaches get paid to improve the technique. You can't coach his speed."
Carraway used his quickness to rack up 63 tackles, 11.0 tackles for a loss and 8.0 sacks last season with the Horned Frogs. Ealy will likely be the primary defensive end opposite Trey Flowers, but Carraway is a guy who might be able to help fill the rotational roles Jabaal Sheard and Chris Long held last season.
Long and Sheard combine for nine sacks in 2016.
Round 5 (183rd Overall)
5 of 7
Shaquill Griffin, CB, Central Florida
Given the depth at the position in this year's draft, it would make sense for the Patriots to continue picking up defensive backs on Day 3. This is believed to be one of the best cornerback classes we've seen in some time, and New England may be able to snag a couple of future starters late.
Central Florida's Shaquill Griffin possesses good size (6'0", 194 lbs) for the cornerback position, but he came into the combine with questions about his ability to cover faster receivers, as NFL Media's Lance Zierlein recently pointed out.
"Long speed is very average and will allow some vertical separation against speedsters," he wrote. "Had difficulties staying with Michigan wide receiver Amara Darboh in Week 3 of this season. His instincts and anticipation are just average."
Well, Griffin actually performed pretty well at the combine, running a 4.38-second 40-yard dash. This should ease questions about Griffin's straight-line speed and allow teams to focus on his proven production.
Last season, he amassed 50 tackles, 15 passes defended and four interceptions.
Griffin should be able to come in and perform on special teams while developing as a rotational defender.
Round 6 (200th Overall)
6 of 7
Jeremiah Ledbetter, DT, Arkansas
Once a team gets into the final couple rounds of the draft, it's typically looking for depth players and rotational assets. Former Arkansas defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter could potentially be both in New England.
Ledbetter isn't a space-eating defensive tackle, but he does have adequate size for the position (6'3", 280 lbs). He has also shown adequate quickness, running a 4.84-second 40 at the combine. Ledbetter would likely be primarily an end in New England's defense. Fortunately, this is where he feels right at home.
"Most teams see me as a right defensive end," Ledbetter explained, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. "I feel like I can come in with quickness there. My first year at Arkansas, I played defensive end. Second year, I played defensive tackle and halfway through the season, they switched me back to defensive end. I can play both. I think I'm a versatile guy."
Ledbetter doesn't appear to be more than a meat-and-potatoes rotational lineman, but this doesn't mean he can have some valuable production in the role. Last season at Arkansas, he produced 49 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks.
Round 7 (239th Overall)
7 of 7
Jerome Lane, WR, Akron
Former Akron wideout Jerome Lane is the epitome of a developmental NFL prospect. He has good size for the receiver position (6'2", 226 lbs) but he doesn't possess a lot of top-end speed. He ran just a 4.6-second 40 at the combine.
However, this doesn't mean the Patriots cannot find a use for the small-school standout. He's shown the ability to use his size to his advantage (he logged 1,018 yards and six touchdowns) and he should bring special teams value.
If the Patriots are convinced he can add more bulk to his frame, they may even have more roles in mind for Lane.
"His hands are adequate and he has very good size and strength, so it might make sense to beef Lane up and give him a shot at a move tight end spot if he fails to make it as a receiver," NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah wrote of Lane in his draft profile.
We know the Patriots rarely force players into a specific box. If Lane can keep his speed and bulk up to, say, 240 pounds, he could become a dangerous offensive tool at a position other than receiver.
All player measurements via NFL.com
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