2020 mock drafts: what the pundits think

A thread to post mocks from (self-proclaimed) experts.

I'll start with three links: a win, a meh, and a FAIL.

Win, Phil Perry: Xavier McKinney, Alabama, S [decent writeup]

Meh, Chris Trapasso, CBS: Justin Herbert, Oregon, QB [his second mock in a row with Herbert to the Pats.]

FAIL: Josh Edwards, CBS: Bryce Hall, Virginia, CB [I'm sorry, even if he is a great player, I don't think the Patriots can afford another luxury pick on a CB.]

Ryan Wilson at CBS Sports: Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

Nick O'Malley, MassLive.com: Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Colorado

Post-Titans:

• Draft Wire's Luke Easterling: TE Cole Kmet
• SB Nation's Dan Kadar: WR K.J. Hamler
• BR's Kristopher Knox: QB Jacob Eason
• NFLMocks.com's Dan Schmelzer: EDGE Yetur Gross-Matos

Pre-Titans:

• PFF's Michael Renner: QB Jordan Love
• BR's Matt Miller: EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson

Could someone just help me understand why some of the sites are saying "edge" is a requirement......do we have/need an edge player now or in the future , I thought we had outside linebackers eg winovich....maybe I just dont understand the function of the edge position is this in a 4 - 3 or 3 - 4 defence ?

Scotty said:

Could someone just help me understand why some of the sites are saying "edge" is a requirement......do we have/need an edge player now or in the future , I thought we had outside linebackers eg winovich....maybe I just dont understand the function of the edge position is this in a 4 - 3 or 3 - 4 defence ?

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"Edge" generally refers to someone who would play OLB in a 3–4 or DE in a 4–3. As to why teams see a need, it's probably because both Collins and KVN are FAs.

Scotty said:

Could someone just help me understand why some of the sites are saying "edge" is a requirement......do we have/need an edge player now or in the future , I thought we had outside linebackers eg winovich....maybe I just dont understand the function of the edge position is this in a 4 - 3 or 3 - 4 defence ?

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because in 2019, once our pass rush stopped getting to the qb, our defense went from all time great to above average.

a guy like weaver from Boise state or gross from penn state could provide that rush.

winovich must get stronger, he wore down badly as the season progressed.

Ochmed Jones said:

because in 2019, once our pass rush stopped getting to the qb, our defense went from all time great to above average.

a guy like weaver from Boise state or gross from penn state could provide that rush.

winovich must get stronger, he wore down badly as the season progressed.

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I have edge as top need because I’m guessing Van Noy is gone. I see Gross-Mayos as a 4-3 DE. Not sure he fits us. What ya think of Lewis -Bama?

We also need a 5-tech de to upgrade from Wise. I wouldn’t be against a trade back and Raekwon Davis

NE's D was effective, but strange this year in terms of edge

Only true edge guys were Simon and Wino, and then KVN and Collins from the second layer

Hopeful they return but unlikely with NE's track record

patsfaninpa said:

I have edge as top need because I’m guessing Van Noy is gone. I see Gross-Mayos as a 4-3 DE. Not sure he fits us. What ya think of Lewis -Bama?

We also need a 5-tech de to upgrade from Wise. I wouldn’t be against a trade back and Raekwon Davis

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Lewis has a huge injury history.

a agree 100 percent with trading back for Davis,

Scotty said:

Could someone just help me understand why some of the sites are saying "edge" is a requirement......do we have/need an edge player now or in the future , I thought we had outside linebackers eg winovich....maybe I just dont understand the function of the edge position is this in a 4 - 3 or 3 - 4 defence ?

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The proper term, for smart, civilized people is/should be ... Rush players, bc they sometimes line up inside/in different techniques.

I actually just read a scientific study that said people that use the term "edge" are 5 X's more likely to be felons & have the app "Kik" on their phone.

The Draft Network:

• Jonah Tuls: EDGE Terrell Lewis
• Jordan Reid: TE Cole Kmet

Flash said:

The Draft Network:

• Jonah Tuls: EDGE Terrell Lewis
• Jordan Reid: TE Cole Kmet

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While Kmet is my TE1, Lewis is more deserving of going that high and would be an awesome chess piece for Belichick

JerseyShore99 said:

While Kmet is my TE1, Lewis is more deserving of going that high and would be an awesome chess piece for Belichick

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As Ochmed pointed out. Injuries are an issue. Raekwon reminds me of Cam Hayward. We will be seeing a lot Balt and Tennessee the next few years If we’re still good.Could use a good 5-tech with leadership abilities

Flash said:

The Draft Network:

• Jonah Tuls: EDGE Terrell Lewis
• Jordan Reid: TE Cole Kmet

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Idk how I feel about kmet as of yet. He’s a big target and looks as if he has dependable hands but it looks as if he lacks speed or any type of explosion when running his routes. I want to see how he tests when the combine comes around.

Gabriel_p94 said:

Idk how I feel about kmet as of yet. He’s a big target and looks as if he has dependable hands but it looks as if he lacks speed or any type of explosion when running his routes. I want to see how he tests when the combine comes around.

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his run blocking appears to be below par.

he has little suddenness to his game.

After further review, maybe we are better served by taking two of Albert o, Pinckney or parkinson in the third round with our company picks,

New mock draft from PFF's Michael Renner: QB Justin Herbert

BR's Matt Miller's Scouting Notebook: TE Cole Kmet

Seems like Cole Kmet is the popular expert pick for the Patriots. I strongly doubt the Patriots will touch Kmet with a first-round pick. It's more likely that they trade down and draft Kmet with a potential second-round pick instead.

Kmet isn't an exceptional athlete and isn't that polished of a prospect, either. I think we are better off fixing the TE position through free agency instead.

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: S Grant Delpit (also suggested C Cesar Ruiz)

SI's Kevin Hanson: WR Tee Higgins

Flash said:

NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah: S Grant Delpit (also suggested C Cesar Ruiz)

SI's Kevin Hanson: WR Tee Higgins

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Bet your money on Delpit. He would be another Patriot early round bust.
He missed 20 tackles in 2019.

Gabriel_p94 said:

Idk how I feel about kmet as of yet. He’s a big target and looks as if he has dependable hands but it looks as if he lacks speed or any type of explosion when running his routes. I want to see how he tests when the combine comes around.

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I agree. The only TE I REALLY like is Albert Okwuebunam. This kid has it all in the TE position. He's basically a combination of TJ Hockensen & Noah Fant. Probably not as good as either, but he's a big, strong, fast TE who can block. He's a monster red zone mismatch. My second TE choice is Colby Parkinson from Stanford. 6-7 TE with a great wingspan, catches everything. I'd be thrilled with either, no so much with Kmet, but I'd happily take any pass catching TE.