This is my second Mock Draft with a final coming next Wednesday.
This time I used Fanspeak On The Clock Premium which allows trades. I used Steve from Fanspeak as the rankings which was updated Tuesday April 7th.
TRADE: NE Trades R1 P23 to BAL for R2 P23, P28 & R3 P23
I start off trading the first round pick again. From pick 23-60 there is not much difference.
55: R2 P23 C LLOYD CUSHENBERRY LSU
He is perhaps the #1 OC in the draft. The Patriots have David Andrews coming back from an issue with blood clots in his lungs. A question mark at best with no backup on the roster.
60: R2 P28 S JEREMY CHINN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Chinn is an up and comer having a terrific combine to go along with great play at the Senior Bowl game and practices. At 6’ 3” 221 he ran 4.45 at the combine and looked smooth in every other area too. 13 career INTs. Could play LB. Has coverage skills of a CB. I wanted Kyle Dugger but couldn’t swing a trade up. Some people think Chinn could be 3rd S off the board.
TRADE: NE Trades R3 P23 & P34 to CIN for R3 P1
Made this trade even before I made the Chinn selection
65: R3 P1 TE ADAM TRAUTMAN DAYTON
Trautman in my opinion is the #1 TE in this draft. I moved up to insure I got the player I wanted. Trautman will have an adjustment to better competition but should handle it flawlessly. He has a huge catch radius similar to Gronk.
100: R3 P36 QB JALEN HURTS OKLAHOMA
Just too good to pass up at this point in the draft. His numbers between Alabama and Oklahoma are outstanding. Hurts threw for 9,477 yards, 80 TDs to 20 INTs, and threw for over 60% completion percentage every year, including 69.7% as a senior. He led Alabama as a red shirt freshman to the National Championship. Led them to a 2nd trip to the championship as a Soph but got replaced by Tua Tagovailoa his Jr year. Transferred as a Graduate student and had a brilliant senior season. His only issue is that he stands 6’ 1”.
106: R3P42 WR LYNN BOWDEN KENTUCKY
Versatile – I have seen Bowden listed as a RB in many places but he is projecting to a slot receiver. He finished the last 8 games this past season as the Wildcats starting QB rushing for 1468 yards and 13 TDs. He had 7.9 yards per carry. He also started 5 games as a WR and led Kentucky with 30 receptions. He is a terrific Punt Returner and returns Kickoffs as well. He didn’t run at the combine or his Pro Day but is projected to run between 4.38 and 4.58.
125: R4P19 RB DARRYNTON EVANS APPALACHIAN STATE
Offensive Player of the Year in the Sun Belt Conference. Ran for 1480 yards and 18 TDs along with 21 catches. Started his college career at Maryland and played as a true freshman. Not a team need but just too good to pass up. Especially with all the contracts coming due next season.
172: R5P26 OT CHARLIE HECK NORTH CAROLINA
Son of a former NFL OT and former All American at Notre Dame, Andy Heck. Has great size at 6’ 8” 311. Experienced, starting 47 of 48 games over 4 seasons (3 years at RT and as a Sr played LT). Great value at this point in draft for a potential swing tackle.
195: R6P16 TE DALTON KEENE VIRGINIA TECH
NESN’s Doug Kyed has convinced me. Keene is the Sleeper of the TE class. Kyed says “At 6-foot-4, 253 pounds, he ran a 4.71-second 40-yard dash with a 7.07-second 3-cone drill, 4.19-second short shuttle, 34-inch vertical leap and 10-feet, 5-inch broad jump. He left for the pros after his junior season, so he’s still only 20 years old. He’s a good blocker, moves well, has NFL size and speed and is unrelenting after the catch. He’s also versatile. He can play tight end, H-back, fullback and some running back.” Kyed compares him to George Kittle coming out of college. Little production but great potential.
204: R6P25 S ALOHI GILMAN NOTRE DAME
Double dip on Safeties given McCourty, Chung are over 30. Gilman will be a Special Teams ace.
212: R6P33 EDGE CARTER COUGHLIN MINNESOTA
Took a flyer on a productive college pass rusher. Coughlin ran a 4.56 at combine but must better use of his hands. Tweener at 6’3” 236. If he is to make it, he must shine as a core ST player and then develop.
213: R6P34 LB CASEY TOOHILL STANFORD
Desperate for LB and having not filled this position taking a flyer on a smart player. Toohill is prototypical Pats OLB at 6’4” 250 and ran 4.62 and 7.08 3 cone at combine. He was a finalist for the Campbell Award (Academics, Football Ability, Leadership) and has Patriots written all over him.
230: R7P16 G TOMMY KRAEMER NOTRE DAME
At 6’6” 319 RG Kraemer is described as Huge, Wide Big and Large. Tough to get around in Pas Blocking. However he is a waist bender and may not have the NFL level athleticism required. At this point in the draft you are taking flyers on guys. Kraemer will compete for a backup spot, if not provide depth on the Practice Squad
241: R7P27 S JAVELIN GUIDRY UTAH
World class speed 4.29 at the combine. PAC 10 60M finished 6th. Projected Safety that has issues with zone coverage and man skills. Has that make up speed that you can’t teach. Especially good covering crossing routes. Known for his work ethic and desire to improve. Would be a gunner on STs
Again I didn’t draft a K and would prioritize that as a Un Drafted Free Agent. I didn’t draft a DT as this is not a good year for Interior D lineman.
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Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.
