Ideal Second-Round Fits for New England Patriots in 2017 NFL Draft
The New England Patriots don't own a first- or second-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft. However, this doesn't mean that the Patriots won't end up with one by the time the April 27-29 draft weekend rolls around.
While it doesn't appear that the Patriots are looking to move either quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo or cornerback Malcolm Butler, both remain valuable trade chips. If the Patriots fall in love with a prospect at the top of the draft, one of them could potentially be traded in order to secure a selection in Round 1.
In fact, New England doesn't even need to trade Butler in order to secure a first-round selection. Since he is a restricted free agent with a first-round tender, the Patriots simply need another team to sign him to an offer sheet.
Moving back into the second round is an even more likely scenario, as the Patriots hold the 72nd overall pick. A couple of mid-round or future picks could be enough to get New England 10, 12 or 15 spots higher in the draft.
This second scenario is the one we're going to focus on here, as we examine some prospects that might prompt the Patriots to procure a second-round pick. Since such a move would require New England to give up something of value, we'll be focusing on prospects who would fill one of the team's few needs and also fit with the team.
These are players the Patriots might consider trading up into Round 2 to get—or the Patriots might consider themselves lucky to see slide into Round 3.
Sidney Jones, CB, Washibgton
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We're going to start our list with former Washington cornerback Sidney Jones. While Jones suffered a torn Achilles at his pro day and may not be able to take the field in 2017, he could still end up being a steal if the Patriots were able to land him late in the second round or early in the third.
It seems New England wants to keep Butler as its starting cornerback, at least for this season.
"I hope he's with us and signs his offer sheet and plays for us," Patriots owner Robert Kraft recently said, per Kevin Patra of NFL.com. "I have a great affection for him. He was part of probably the greatest play in the history of our team."
Butler will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason, though, which means New England could be without one of its top defenders.
This is where Jones comes in. The Patriots could lean on Butler in 2017 and have a potentially elite prospect ready to replace him the minute he departs. Jones was widely considered one of the draft's top cornerbacks and a very intriguing pro prospect before the injury.
"I think he's a playmaker," NFL Media draft analyst Mike Mayock said of Jones, per Max Meyer of NFL.com. "I think he's got one of those instincts, like when Marcus Peters came out, he just has an instinct and nose for the ball. ... I think sometimes we get too caught up in height, weight, speed and not enough about playmaking."
If the Patriots can trade into the middle of Round 2 and secure a guy with Round 1 talent, they should. Given the current depth at the position, there's a chance that a first-round cornerback wouldn't play much this year anyway.
Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
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The Patriots managed to keep star linebacker Dont'a Hightower this offseason. However, this doesn't mean the team couldn't use another athletic playmaker for the unit—especially since the team still hasn't found a full-time replacement for Jamie Collins.
One player who might interest the Patriots is former Vanderbilt defender Zach Cunningham. One of the few legitimate defensive stars at Vandy, Cunningham projects as a legitimate sideline-to-sideline linebacker as a pro.
"He needs to be uncovered so he can fly around and just go get the ball. He didn't have much help over there and he took it upon himself to make as many plays as possible. I love that mindset," one AFC East scout told NFL Media's Lance Zierlein.
That unnamed scout might have been with the Patriots. Even if he wasn't, Cunningham still seems like the type of defender New England would love to add.
Last season alone, Cunningham racked up 125 tackles, three passes defended and 16.5 tackles for a loss. Seeing New England move up to secure him in the back half of Round 2—should he last that long would not be a surprise.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Tennessee
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The Patriots aren't in desperate need of a running back at this point. The team has Dion Lewis and James White, who each played roles in the run to Super Bowl LI. The team also signed former Cincinnati Bengals back Rex Burkhead this offseason.
However, the Patriots do not have a proven back to take over the role that could be vacated by LeGarrette Blount.
Blount was the primary ball-carrier and the team's short-yardage option last season. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards and plunged into the end zone 18 times during the regular season. Lewis and White can both be electrifying, but neither are proven load-bearers.
Burkhead isn't a proven workhorse either. He has adequate size at 5'10" and 210 pounds, but he also has just 87 NFL carries under his belt.
Moving up to secure a running back in the middle of Round 2 could help New England solidify its backfield for the next several seasons.
Former Tennessee back Alvin Kamara could be a target in such a scenario. While he is also very much unproven—he never logged more than 20 carries in a game at Tennessee—the consensus seems to be that his pro career will be much more impressive than his collegiate career.
NFL Media's Bucky Brooks has praised Kamara's personality and his football IQ. Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller, meanwhile, recently compared Kamara to Atlanta Falcons star Devonta Freeman.
Pro Football Focus rated Kamara 19th overall among college running backs last season.
Adding Kamara could really change what the Patriots are able to do on offense, but the team would almost certainly have to trade back into Round 2 to get him.
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Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Colorado
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As we mentioned earlier, the Patriots could or at least should be preparing for the eventual departure of Butler. Should the team manage to keep the cornerback beyond 2017, then great. If Butler moves on and the Patriots are underprepared, though, it could be a defensive disaster.
This is why if the Patriots do move up in the draft, it could be for a cornerback.
One player who could tempt the Patriots to make such a move is former Colorado cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. A versatile defender, Awuzie is more than just a quality coverage specialist. He amassed 65 total tackles, 12 passes defended, 4.0 sacks and 6.0 tackles for a loss in 2016.
Awuzie also showed that he has NFL speed and explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine when he ran a 4.43-second 40-yard dash and produced a 132-inch broad jump.
"A phenomenal player," CU coach Mike MacIntyre said, per Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post. "He can play all three spots back there—safety, nickel and corner—not many guys can. He's very aggressive. He can play on all your special teams. To me, he doesn't go past the second round."
If New England wants to land Awuzie, trading up a few spots may be required.
Tim Williams, DE, Alabama
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If you've been reading any of my Patriots draft coverage this offseason, you've probably seen Tim Williams' name pop up quite a bit. There's a reason for this. The former Alabama standout possesses the talent of a first-round pick but enough off-field concerns to potentially push him into Round 2.
Williams has owned up to multiple failed drug tests, according to Eric Edholm of Yahoo Sports.
"[I'm a] young player making decisions that I grew from," Williams said, per Edholm. "That's what life is about—being a man on and off the field, owning up to your mistakes. Everyone makes them. I'm not here dancing around and joking."
The Patriots are one of the few teams that could feel comfortable about providing an environment in which Williams can succeed. The organization has taken risks on players plenty of times in the past, and Williams could be worth the risk if he continues to hang around in the middle of Round 2.
Williams produced 9.0 sacks and 16.0 tackles for a loss in 2016. He was also rated 14th overall among all edge defenders by Pro Football Focus. His ability to pressure quarterbacks off the edge could change how the Patriots are able to attack opposing signal-callers.
Recently acquired Kony Ealy may be the starter opposite Trey Flowers, but Williams would be an aggressive rotational end on passing downs. If he is still hanging around in the middle of the second round, the Patriots may want to consider going up and getting him.
Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
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If the Patriots do not want to take a risk on Williams, they may instead consider former Kansas State defensive end Jordan Willis.
While Willis isn't as well-known as some of the other edge-rushers in this draft class, there is a lot to like about him. He has adequate size at 6'4" and 255 pounds with more than enough quickness to attack off the perimeter (he ran a 4.53-second 40 at the combine).
Willis also has some production to hang his proverbial hat on. He amassed 11.5 sacks last season and has 21 sacks over the past two years. Pro Football Focus rated Willis first overall among all edge defenders for the 2016 season.
Willis appears to be a perfect fit for the Patriots defense as a situational defender and pass-rush specialist. In a draft with less defensive depth, he'd probably be a virtual lock for the first round. However, this depth doesn't mean that Willis will simply fall to the Patriots at 72nd overall.
Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst believes that Willis will probably be off the board in the first half of Round 2. He also notes that the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys have shown "a lot" of interest in Willis.
If the Patriots want Willis, they're probably going to have to move up to at least the middle of the second round.
D'Onta Foreman, RB, Texas
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We already mentioned that the Patriots could be looking for a run-oriented tailback to join their current backfield trio of White, Lewis and Burkhead. Former Texas star D'Onta Foreman could be just the type of back to fill this role.
Foreman racked up more than 2,000 yards rushing last season while averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
At 6'0" and 233 pounds, Foreman certainly seems to possess the size and physicality needed to take on the role filled by Blount. The issue with Foreman is that he is lacking in the pass-catching department. He had just seven receptions last season.
However, this shouldn't be a major issue for the Patriots, who already have pass-catching backs on their roster. What the team needs is an early-down back and short-yardage bruiser. This is the type of back that Foreman can be.
Pro Football Focus rated Foreman 23rd overall among all college running backs in 2016.
Depending on how the running back dominoes fall early in the draft, Foreman is a guy who might slide to the Patriots at the top of Round 3. It wouldn't be a shock, though, to see the team move up a handful of spots in order to secure him in the second round.
All prospect measurements via NFL.com
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