NFL Draft 2020: Patriots pick Antoine Winfield Jr., new quarterback to lead 2020 class
1st round
No. 23: S Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota
Ht/Wt: 5-9, 202
Surprise!
The Pats nab the most instinctive safety in the entire draft, an All-American who grabbed seven interceptions last season and ran a 4.45 in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Most times when Belichick waxes poetic about an elite player, he references first-rate instincts; someone who grasps the game at a deeper level, gains a physical step because of his mental edge and makes plays. That’s Winfield.
His football IQ is off the charts. He’s physical and versatile. Because Winfield is projected to be an early Day 2 selection, the Patriots can still nab him even if they trade down Thursday. Winfield would fill an immediate need as a third safety who can patrol the deep middle with Devin McCourty, just as Duron Harmon did. His quickness and man-to-man cover skills will also allow him to battle slot receivers, a must for safeties in the modern NFL.
Eventually, Winfield should be able to replace McCourty as the leader of the secondary who makes calls and coordinates coverages. If he was just an inch taller, Winfield would be a surefire first-round pick. The Pats make him one anyway, at the same exact slot his father, a former All-Pro defensive back, was drafted 21 years ago.
3rd round
No. 87: QB Jake Fromm, Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 219
The choice here came down to Fromm or Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts, with recent reports indicating the Pats will pick a quarterback on Day 1 or 2. In reviewing all the mid-round passers the Patriots have drafted the past 10 years, none of them were slow decision-makers who struggled to make anticipatory throws. Those were Hurts’ most significant flaws in college; problems that spanned his time at Alabama and Oklahoma and will only be exacerbated by the speed of NFL defenses.
Fromm, on the other hand, checks all of the Pats’ requisite boxes: accuracy, taking care of the football, owning the middle of the field, processing and leadership. His ceiling may be lower than Hurts’, so know that if the Pats take Fromm, it’s because they like what they’ve seen. If they turn to Hurts, it’s because they believe they’ll love the player they can mold down the road.
No. 98: LB Malik Harrison, Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 247
Harrison is among the few players in this year’s class who fit the Pats’ preferred physical prototype at linebacker. Better yet, he’s an excellent run defender who blitzed well and improved steadily during his time in Columbus. The Patriots should have no problem inserting this sound rookie into their linebacker rotation.
No. 100: TE Devin Asiasi, UCLA
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 257
Finally, a tight end.
By this time, the top talents — Dayton’s Adam Trautman and Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet — are off the board, leaving the Pats with the best two-way prospect still available. As a receiver, Asiasi broke out for 641 yards and four touchdowns last season. He’s long been a competent in-line blocker with clear room to improve and enough speed to threaten defenses down the seam.
Within a year or two — provided his conditioning stabilizes — Asiasi may start in New England.
4th round
No. 125: WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 212
A developmental traits prospect, Peoples-Jones never lived up to the hype as a five-star prospect in Ann Arbor. He did, however, establish himself as an elite athlete with rare ball skills and punt return ability (two career touchdown returns). The Pats can move Peoples-Jones across the formation, just as his coaches did at Michigan, and refine his routes with the hope his potential is finally realized.
The work ethic and physical talent are there. Time to put it all together.
No. 139: OL Jonah Jackson, Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 306
A third-team All-American, Jackson brings desired versatility and intelligence to the Pats’ offensive line. He started at all three interior spots over his time at Ohio State and Rutgers. He also registered among the strongest offensive linemen at the combine.
5th round
No. 172: TE Brycen Hopkins, Purdue
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 245
Don’t ask him to block, but throw Hopkins the ball and you can watch him fly.
One of the fastest tight ends available, Hopkins was a steady producer over two starting seasons at Purdue. He did struggle with drops, but if those can be cured, he should enjoy a solid NFL career. Hopkins is the rare right end in this class who can win downfield and give linebackers trouble in coverage. That means a lot in today’s league.
6th round
No. 195: K Tyler Bass, Georgia Southern
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 185
Bass was money in the bank up to 50 yards out last season. He struggled with misses in the second half of the year, but never lost his monster leg that could take kickoff duties away from Jake Bailey. Expect either Bass or Georgia’s Rodrigo Blankenship to be wearing a Patriots hat before the weekend is over.
No. 204: LB Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 234
A four-year starter at Miami, Quarterman is among the easiest prospects to project to the Patriots this year. He’s durable, smart and disciplined. His negatives, naturally, are mostly speed and quickness-related; a theme for Pats linebackers in recent seasons who have made up for their physical deficiencies with instinctive play.
No. 212: C Jake Hanson, Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 303
Another four-year starter, Hanson fits the bill for a Patriots center: intelligent, a little light and versatile. Hanson didn’t allow a sack until his senior season at Oregon, where he led one of the best offensive lines in college football.
No. 213: QB Cole McDonald, Hawaii
One of the most entertaining prospects in the entire draft, McDonald paired a reckless attitude with an NFL-caliber arm that completed more passes 40 or more yards downfield than any other quarterback last year. McDonald is accurate and talented enough to push those ahead of him, especially if offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can rein him in. Starved for competition in their quarterbacks room, the Pats take McDonald here.
7th round
No. 230: DT John Penisini, Utah
