New England Patriots have a talented roster of players who are available to currently play. However, New England have eight or nine players (listed below) likely to return to the 53 man roster. Plus we have four picks in the top 100 in the 2018 draft. These are probably not all going to be kept and will either be traded for players, traded for lower picks or traded for 2019 picks.
When all this is taken into account what are the positions of need going into the 2018 draft or is it best player available?
One thing to consider is that with both Rivers and Garcia not playing this season how many young players with no NFL playing experience will the Patriots carry on their game day roster? Or is this not a concern?
My draft prediction: The Patriots don't draft a Quarterback in 2018.
Locks to return to the roster: Dont'a [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/donta-hightower']Hightower, Julian [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/julian-edelman']Edelman, Malcolm M[URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/malcolm-mitchell']itchell. [/URL][/URL][/URL]
Very likely to make the 2018 roster: Tony Garcia, Derek [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/derek-rivers']Rivers, Vincent [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/vincent-valentine']Valentine. [/URL][/URL]
On the roster bubble for 2018: Cyrus Jones, Harvey Langi, Shea [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/shea-mcclellin']McClellin (retirement due to concussions?) [/URL]
1st round pick (NE)
2nd round pick (via San Francisco, acquired in the Garoppolo trade)
2nd round pick (NE)
3rd round pick (NE)
No 4th round pick (Eric Rowe trade with Eagles).
When all this is taken into account what are the positions of need going into the 2018 draft or is it best player available?
One thing to consider is that with both Rivers and Garcia not playing this season how many young players with no NFL playing experience will the Patriots carry on their game day roster? Or is this not a concern?
My draft prediction: The Patriots don't draft a Quarterback in 2018.
Locks to return to the roster: Dont'a [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/donta-hightower']Hightower, Julian [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/julian-edelman']Edelman, Malcolm M[URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/malcolm-mitchell']itchell. [/URL][/URL][/URL]
Very likely to make the 2018 roster: Tony Garcia, Derek [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/derek-rivers']Rivers, Vincent [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/vincent-valentine']Valentine. [/URL][/URL]
On the roster bubble for 2018: Cyrus Jones, Harvey Langi, Shea [URL='http://www.patriots.com/team/players/roster/shea-mcclellin']McClellin (retirement due to concussions?) [/URL]
1st round pick (NE)
2nd round pick (via San Francisco, acquired in the Garoppolo trade)
2nd round pick (NE)
3rd round pick (NE)
No 4th round pick (Eric Rowe trade with Eagles).