Not my final mock but this is an attempt to create a realistic mock that takes into account our final roster. I used the CBS big board.
Trade: DET trade 43,88 for 32, 134
I’m going pessimistic here and am assuming Big Dex, AJ Brown and Lindstrom are off the board so I trade back looking for an OT.
43. Greg Little, OT, Ole Miss
I considered Risner and McGary here. McGary makes more sense athletically but both he and Risner aren’t LTs so I went with the extra versatility allowed by Little. He can be a swing tackle year one, can replace Wynn if he doesn’t measure up at LT or replace Cannon in 2020 if necessary. It also allows for Wynn to move inside and replace Thuney if they don’t re-sign him. Little allows for more flexibility than the other two.
56. Irv Smith Jnr, TE, Alabama
Admittedly not the most exciting TE on offer but I decided to go with the high floor. We can always draft a more exciting TE another time but for 2019, we need someone who can get on the field and produce early. Will work in tandem with ASJ.
64. Khalen Saunders, DT, W Illinois
I reeeeaallly wanted to draft Terry McLaurin here as I think he’s the perfect Pat and an accomplished receiver to boot but I have other ideas for the WR position so as I missed out on DT at 32, I went with the most exciting next best thing. Saunders has rare athleticism. He’ll need work, but with Guy and Pennell, he doesn’t have to start and there’s still the possibility of signing a FA like Allen Bailey or Danny Shelton if necessary.
73. Mecole Hardman, WR, Georgia
This is the guy I feel is the one I’ll think they’ll pick especially as I learned today that they gave him a late private workout following a visit. He comes from a scheme the Pats know can translate, he offers the speed the Patriots want and is a dual threat returner which is something we need.
88. Trade with DET for 2020 3rd and 111
I forgot my initial trade was with Detroit but the team doesn’t matter. BB gets his annual future pick.
97. Trade with Atlanta for Mohamed Sanu
This is why I couldn’t bring myself to draft McLaurin. Just too many receivers. The Pats showed interest in Sanu before he signed with ATL and the Falcons are up against the cap with Julio to sign. He doesn’t come cheap at 15m over the next two years but at least we get an experienced vet rather than trying to rely on rookies.
101 Trade to NYG for 142, 143, 2020 4th
Didn’t want that huge gap between the end of the 3rd and the 6th round.
111. Ben Banogu, LB, TCU
One of the gaps we still have on the roster is special teams linebacker and this where I see Banogu initially. But, I also see him in the long-term as either a Derek Rivers replacement or even Van Noy’s eventual Replacement. Banogu has ridiculous athleticism. Interestingly, two of his athletic comps are Mark Anderson and Andre Carter. Another is Jordan Willis whom you may remember. I think it’s a risk worth taking in the 4th round.
142. Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford
I don’t think we’re desperate for linebackers, but the fact that Okereke was worked out by Nick Caserio got my attention. And I know
@reamer is a fan and that’s recommendation enough.
143. Stanley Morgan Jnr, WR, Nebraska
Doesn’t have special size or athleticism but Morgan is one of my favourite receivers in the draft. A candidate for the Foxboro flu with a view to being on the roster next year.
205. Derek Baity, CB, Kentucky
We’ve looked at 3 CBs in this pre-draft process including Baity. They all have one thing in common. They’re all 6’2” or better. BB is clearly considering a type. But with the roster as it’s currently constructed, I couldn’t really justify drafting one high so opted for Baity. One other thing of note with Baity is that his no1 comparable on mockdraftable is Aqib Talib.
239. Byron Cowart, DL, Maryland
A former top recruit who’s career has gone somewhat awry and I think it’s worth taking a shot at resurrecting it. He’s an outside/inside guy who could play a role similar to Trey Flowers although he’s bigger at 298lbs. A PS candidate with an outside shot at making the team
243. Yosuah Nijman, OT, W VirginiA
He has Nate Solder’s athleticism and size but lousy technique. A candidate for Dante’s attention but like Conor McDermott a couple of years ago, a long shot. But there is upside potential there so why not?
246. Alexander Mattison, RB, Boise St.
I love this guy. A hard running north-south runner who can block, catch and rarely fumbles. The comps I’ve seen for him are Alex Collins and Mike Gillislee. Another PS candidate, but he could take some pressure off Michel if required. A safe, if not overly dynamic, pair of hands.
252. Nick Allegretti, OL, Illinois
Another prospect I think is a great fit. He’s a two time team captain, a former wrestler and has been worked out by the Pats and, of course, we already have Ted Karras from the same school. A lock for any future mock from me.
So there you have it. Plenty of picks that I think can be fitted on the roster, a veteran WR to ease the pain of transition and two future picks in next year’s draft. I can think of more exciting mocks but I was trying for realistic.
