2020 mock drafts: what the pundits think

KDPPatsfan85 said:

Here's my Patriots 7 round mock...

241. Rodrigo Blankenship, K Georgia

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Most years, kickers start coming off the board by the fifth round.

What 2019’s most accurate mock drafters think Patriots will do in 2020 - Pats Pulpit

Most accurate mock drafters for New England in 2019 (pre-2020 free agency mocks):

• Charlie Campbell, Walter Football: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

• Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: LB Patrick Queen, LSU

• Evan Silva, Establish The Run: OT Austin Jackson, USC

• Ben Standig, The Athletic: S Grant Delpit, LSU

• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: QB Jordan Love, Utah State

• Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated: DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

I think with the retention of DMac, it is more likely than not that the Patriots do not draft a safety in the first round.

Flash said:

What 2019’s most accurate mock drafters think Patriots will do in 2020 - Pats Pulpit

Most accurate mock drafters for New England in 2019 (pre-2020 free agency mocks):

• Charlie Campbell, Walter Football: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

• Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: LB Patrick Queen, LSU

• Evan Silva, Establish The Run: OT Austin Jackson, USC

• Ben Standig, The Athletic: S Grant Delpit, LSU

• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: QB Jordan Love, Utah State

• Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated: DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

I think with the retention of DMac, it is more likely than not that the Patriots do not draft a safety in the first round.

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I'd be shocked if the Patriots took Queen, Delpit, or Love.

I'd be pretty surprised with Jackson or McKinney.

I'd be mildly surprised with Epenesa.

The Ringer's 2020 NFL Draft Guide:

23. QB Jordan Love

Summary: Dynamic signal-caller with a flick-of-the-wrist throwing style, good touch, and plenty of athleticism―but big questions around his decision-making and ball security.
MAIN SELLING POINT: Tools, tools, tools

SCOUTING REPORT

Love is as big of a traits-based prospect as we’ll see in this draft. The 6-foot-3, 224-pound quarterback has prototypical size, athleticism, and a strong arm but took a massive step back statistically this year (partially due to a coaching change and a lack of surrounding talent). He tossed 20 touchdowns to 17 interceptions after posting a 32-to-6 touchdown-to-interception line the season prior. But his skill set and potential ceiling as a passer are sure to intrigue a few teams―and it’s notable that less-than-impressive final stat lines didn’t cause Josh Allen or Daniel Jones to fall too far in recent years.

Love has showed off flashes of incredible touch and precise ball placement to every level of the field while operating primarily in a shotgun offense; he has the ability to manipulate defenders with his eyes; he has a pretty, catchable deep ball; and he shows willingness to attempt tight-window throws against one-on-one coverage. He throws well on the move, and when plays break down, he has the athleticism to pick up yards on the ground (he ran for 403 yards and scored nine touchdowns in three seasons at Utah State). Love can strafe, backpedal, and keep himself in a throwing posture while avoiding the rush in a muddied pocket, and he never seems fazed―even when the gates of hell apparently open up in the stands.

That said, Love’s big plays are too often punctuated by poor ones. His ball placement is erratic at times, which is a trait that could get him in trouble. He has the ability to toggle through throws of varying velocity, but there were times when his default was to loft up a rainbow when a bullet throw was necessary. Overall, Love created far too many turnovers, and appeared to predetermine his targets while ignoring coverages.

WHY HE COULD RISE
Love has scintillating arm talent and a high ceiling as a passer; his skill set should translate well to the combine and pro day environments.

WHY HE COULD FALL
He comes with a low floor, he turned the ball over far, far too much in 2019, and he may need some time as a backup to refine his game.

Flash said:

What 2019’s most accurate mock drafters think Patriots will do in 2020 - Pats Pulpit

Most accurate mock drafters for New England in 2019 (pre-2020 free agency mocks):

• Charlie Campbell, Walter Football: S Xavier McKinney, Alabama

• Walter Cherepinsky, Walter Football: LB Patrick Queen, LSU

• Evan Silva, Establish The Run: OT Austin Jackson, USC

• Ben Standig, The Athletic: S Grant Delpit, LSU

• Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today: QB Jordan Love, Utah State

• Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated: DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

I think with the retention of DMac, it is more likely than not that the Patriots do not draft a safety in the first round.

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Since when has Walter ever been accurate about this or any team? His site is my go to because it's so comprehensive and easy to navigate, but his takes are pretty consistently confusing and/or based on a false premise.

Cynthia Frelund 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0: Analytics-based picks

23. Justin Herbert - QB
School: Oregon | Year: Senior

I was fortunate enough to have the chance -- via Zoom, of course -- to track and code for Herbert's game with a coach from the Bill Belichick tree. While it would be better for any Pats quarterback if Dante Scarnecchia were still coaching the O-line, the potential for Herbert to execute in this system is higher than it might appear at first blush.

[Note: this mock has Bengals going Cam Newton(!) + Young. It has Burrow to the Dolphins (yuck) and Tua to the Chargers. Love falls out of the first round.]

Candidate for worst mock of the year.

Three-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins, Patriots, Bucs, Browns trade up to address key needs

23. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Pats could be looking for a QB here and trading up is certainly a possibility, but adding a WR is an obvious need too. Jefferson played primarily in the slot last season for LSU and he was electric, but he can also play out wide too.

50. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Trade: Patriots trade 87, 98, 100
This assumes the Patriots don't make a play for one of the free-agent QBs. Either way, Hurts helped himself at the combine and he could serve in a Taysom Hill role while learning New England's offense.

Excuse me while I barf.

ctpatsfan77 said:

Candidate for worst mock of the year.

Three-round 2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dolphins, Patriots, Bucs, Browns trade up to address key needs

23. Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
The Pats could be looking for a QB here and trading up is certainly a possibility, but adding a WR is an obvious need too. Jefferson played primarily in the slot last season for LSU and he was electric, but he can also play out wide too.

50. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Trade: Patriots trade 87, 98, 100
This assumes the Patriots don't make a play for one of the free-agent QBs. Either way, Hurts helped himself at the combine and he could serve in a Taysom Hill role while learning New England's offense.

Excuse me while I barf.

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I saw a worst mock by Chad Reuter had us trading back up to the second to tale Jake Fromm

ChrisR2223 said:

I saw a worst mock by Chad Reuter had us trading back up to the second to tale Jake Fromm

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FWIW, that one had the Pats trading down from 23 and then taking Fromm.

My new least favorite Patriots mock draft, which really says a lot considering I like Trautman and Jefferson...

The Draft Network

Gator Mike said:

My new least favorite Patriots mock draft, which really says a lot considering I like Trautman and Jefferson...

The Draft Network

7. Patriots
Jordan Love
QB, Utah State
Trade: New England Patriots acquire No. 7; Carolina Panthers acquire Nos. 23 and 87 and 2021 first- and third-round selections

The Patriots haven’t drafted a quarterback in the first round since 1993 and it's time for that to change. Could Jarrett Stidham be the starting signal-caller moving forward? Maybe, but I wouldn’t dismiss the idea that New England could be aggressive in the quarterback market on draft day.

Jordan Love brings an elite physical skill set to the table that can be developed into one of the NFL’s most dynamic playmakers at the position. He could modernize the position in New England in the immediate aftermath of Tom Brady’s departure.​

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This would really upset me

A lot of these pundits think we will be drafting Jordan Love. I just don't see it happening. So far, all signs point towards Belichick running with Stidham as our QB1. Drafting Jordan Love in the first round just doesn't make a lot of sense even if we want a development QB sitting behind Stidham. A day 2 or day 3 QB pick would make more sense.

ctpatsfan77 said:

Cynthia Frelund 2020 NFL mock draft 2.0: Analytics-based picks

23. Justin Herbert - QB
School: Oregon | Year: Senior

I was fortunate enough to have the chance -- via Zoom, of course -- to track and code for Herbert's game with a coach from the Bill Belichick tree. While it would be better for any Pats quarterback if Dante Scarnecchia were still coaching the O-line, the potential for Herbert to execute in this system is higher than it might appear at first blush.

[Note: this mock has Bengals going Cam Newton(!) + Young. It has Burrow to the Dolphins (yuck) and Tua to the Chargers. Love falls out of the first round.]

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If Herbert drops that far, it's a no-brainer pick for BB.

If he doesn't, I believe the value this year is at WR as this is the deepest crop of stud wideouts in years.

I know it might seem odd to pick WR in back to back years but Harry doesn't look like a WR1, heck we'd be happy if he could turn into a competent WR2 because of how bad he looked in his rookie year.

6'1 WR Jerry Jeudy could be a nice fit for the system with his high quality route running. Meanwhile 6'4 Tee Higgins could be an absolutely huge red zone target for the Pats who have been missing that threat ever since Gronk's retirement.

The TEs are terrible in this year's draft so I don't expect us to take one high here or maybe at all even though that's a big need. Maybe we trade for a TE instead.

Maurice Jones-Drew NFL mock draft 2.0: Justin Herbert at No. 1!

MJD needs to put the crack pipe down.

23. Jalen Hurts - QB
School: Oklahoma | Year: Senior

He's a proven winner (at Alabama and Oklahoma) and his athletic ability would allow the Patriots to create a more aggressive offense.

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ctpatsfan77 said:

Maurice Jones-Drew NFL mock draft 2.0: Justin Herbert at No. 1!

MJD needs to put the crack pipe down.

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Wow that would be shocking

Have seen a Mock Draft where we took Hurts in the first. and one where we took Mims ( i think he is a good prospect) but Derrick Brown and Kinlaw still available. I would add this to the list of worst mock drafts for us.

2020 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay's post-free agency prediction for Rounds 1 and 2 (Paywall)

23. New England Patriots

A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

These aren't the Patriots we are accustomed to seeing. They could use upgrades in a bunch of areas, including quarterback, wide receiver and a handful of spots on defense. I don't expect coach Bill Belichick to reach for a QB here, and while wide receiver is in play, it seems unlikely two years in a row on Day 1. So how about an edge rusher? LSU's K'Lavon Chaisson is the better player, but Belichick has a strong relationship with Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, and Epenesa fits nicely with the Patriots' 3-4 system as a 5-technique.

So far, the most common first-round picks for New England seems to be:

• QB Jordan Love
• DE AJ Epenesa
• DE/OLB K'Lavon Chaisson
• S Xavier McKinney
• S Grant Delpit
• TE Cole Kmet

Compare these prospects to our past "early" first-round picks (Isaiah Wynn, Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower), I don't think any of them are as good as the three we've taken.

And...for whatever it's worth: The PFF Analytics Mock Draft 2.0 (craziest mock draft I've seen)

23. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – ASHTYN DAVIS S CAL
EE: The Patriots just dealt longtime deep safety Duron Harmon to Detroit, so they replace him here with the former Cal deep guy. As we wrote about last week, Harmon’s former role is perfect for Davis. As the Patriots appear to go full-on into their one-year tank, they can start to rebuild for 2021 with the number-23 pick next to Devin McCourty on the back end.

Pfn mock draft simulator

23. Aj Epenesa DE Iowa
87. Raekwon Davis DT Alabama
98. Adam Trautman TE Dayton
100. Van Jefferson WR Florida
125. John Simpson G Clemson
172. Antoine Brooks jr S Maryland
195. Chapelle Russell OLB Temple
204. Kendall Coleman DE Syracuse
212. Malcolm Perry RB Navy
213. Tyler Bass K Georgia Southern
230. Brandon Bowen OT Ohio State
241. Traded for 2021 6th w/Titans