We are one week away from the Draft. This draft was completed using Pro Football Focus Draft Simulator. I consider the PFF rankings and simulator as the most accurate and realistic. I am conducting this draft with the assumption that Bill Belichick will not trade up for a Quarterback and not take a QB at #15.
My final Patriots 7-round Mock Draft will be posted Wednesday using Bacon Grundle Candy’s NEP 2021 Draft Board.
TRADE #15 & #139 to Las Vegas for #18 & #50 – Las Vegas takes Mac Jones
#18 Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina – It’s debatable who the top CB in this draft is, Surtain or Horn. Either would be expected to be a long-term starter (5 years with the 5th year option of 1st round pick). With the CB position in question with J.C. Jackson as a RFA or Stephon Gilmore’s extension up in the air, this is the first move with 2022 in mind. Note: Jackson’s RFA tender will be decided by April 23rd.
#46 Elijah Moore WR Mississippi – 5’ 8.5” 178lbs. 4.32 40. 6.65 3-cone – Moore broke AJ Brown’s school record with 86 reception in only 8 games. He also averaged 149 yards per game in 2020. He is strictly a slot receiver because of his size. He should also be able to help in the return game. Moore was penalized after scoring what would have been the game-tying TD with 4 seconds left. However, he made an inappropriate celebration, mocking a dog urinating on the goal post. The 15-yard penalty made the extra point more difficult and the Rebels missed the extra point. Moore would be a perfect replacement for Julian Edelman.
TRADE #50 acquired from Las Vegas to Tampa Bay for #64 and #95.
#64 Quinn Meinerz OG/OC Wisconsin Whitewater (D III). 6’3” 320 4.86 40, 30e reps at 225# – The Patriots attended Meinerz Pro Day after his outstanding Senior Bowl. He dominated and was named the Outstanding OL practice player for the national team. This is voted on by the players he dominated all week. Both Patriots OL coaches attended his Pro Day. Pro Football Focus stated that all of his Pro Day numbers were in the 90th percentile for any OG/OC in all time of combine workouts. His speed number was in the 99th percentile. He is just too good to pass up. Again a pick for 2022. Wynn’s 5th-year option has not been exercised. Ted Karras is on a one-year contract. Trent Brown is on a one-year contract and a Free Agent next year. Perhaps Onwenu will need to move back to Tackle in 2022?
#95 Jaime Newman QB Wake Forest / Georgia 6’ 4” 230lbs – Newman is a developmental QB with all the physical tools to be a great starter. The Demon Deacons used his size and mobility to fashion all the power runs from the QB position. He did not participate in any of the measurable drills at his Pro Day but he did impress with his long passes. Newman played 6 games in 2018 passing for 1083 yds, 9 TDs to 4 INTs, for a 59.6 Completions percentage. In 2019 he upped those to 2868 yards, 26 TDs to 11 INTs, 60.9 completion percentage. He then decided to transfer to Georgia, however, he opted out of the 2020 season. He played in the Senior Bowl, and although his rust showed early, he got better as the week of practice wore on. He was long on a lot of his throws which is a sign that he was unfamiliar with his receivers. His play in the Senior Bowl game was actually pretty good. He is a tough player to evaluate, a real trick or treater. According to NFL Draft Diamonds, the 6’4 passer has one of the prettiest deep balls in college football. The former Wake Forest grad transfer is a dual-threat quarterback with great touch. The three mid-tier QB’s were gone by #70. I would take Meinerz over any of the developmental QBs.
#96 Dwayne Eskeridge WR Western Michigan – 5’8.5 190 lbs. 4.38 40 6.95 3-cone – Eskeridge is flying under the radar despite some terrific numbers at Western Michigan. He had 34 catches for 784 yards, 23.1 average, 8 TDs in just 6 games. His ability to get off press coverage at the LOS is superior. He also defeats DBs at several other points in his route running. Blocking is also a specialty of his and he will be a core member of all 4 special teams. He put all this on display in the Senior Bowl practices. ESPN’s Todd McShay – declaring him a potential first-round pick. According to Mark Schofield, “Watching him on film from practice this week and you see the same pattern emerge on play after play: Eskridge separating from coverage and making a play at the catch point. He combines footwork and explosiveness with solid hands, and that is generally a winning combination for a wide receiver in the NFL.”.
Note: The selection of Moore and Eskeridge was made prior to the retirement announcement by Julian Edelman.
# 120 Elijah Mitchell RB Louisiana 5’ 10.2” 201 4.35 40-yard 6.94 3-cone, 37.5 Vert, 10’ 8” BJ, 17 reps – Mitchell is the best runningback nobody knows. For his career, he ran for 3,267 yards over 4 years. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry for his career. Mitchell was a touchdown machine scoring 41 rushing and 5 receiving. For his career, he also had 49 catches for a 12.2 average. All this while splitting time with two other running backs. Again this is a draft selection for 2022. White is on a one-year contract, Bolden is over 30, Michel is a Free Agent.
# 122 Bobby Brown DT Texas A&M 6’ 4” 321 lbs, 5.02 40-yard – Brown is a massive Nose Tackle, space-eater, tough to move D lineman. He has surprising quickness for a man that big. One of his times at the Pro Day was 4.96. He is a two-year starter and can occupy space and play the 3 technique. Again the team needs a backup to Godchaux. Carl Davis has been injury-prone with recurring concussions.
At this point in the Draft, most of the players that would be on the Patriots limited (75 is the number used) have been taken. BB can use the remainder of the Draft to select players that would have been UDFA. By selecting them in the draft, they do not have to compete for their services.
TRADE #177 to PIT for 2022 4th Round selection
#188 Grant Stuard LB Houston 5’ 11.5” 225 4.62e 28 reps @ 225 DNP in Field Events – Stuard flies around the field like a missile. He plays downhill and is fun to watch. His best asset is his Special Teams play. He has over 500 snaps on Special Teams. He is a little like Elandon Roberts, but a much better ST player.
#197 Ben Mason FB Michigan 6’2” 246, 4.72 40-yard, 6.97 3-cone, 37.5 Vert, 29 reps at 225 lbs – Mason blew up the Senior Bowl by consistently putting LBs on their backsides. Although the Patriots have two FBs on the roster, this guy has Patriot written all over him. He catches the ball well enough to be a TE/H-back. He has also played on Defense for Don Brown at Michigan. He came to Michigan as an ILB, and if you compared his measurable numbers to the ILB’s he would be number 2. I see him as a Special Teams demon and eventual starter at FB.
#242 KJ Costello QB Mississippi St 6’ 4.4” 225# 5.11 40-yard – Costello was the starting QB at Stanford for three seasons until a foot injury derailed his 2019 season. He put up prestigious numbers at Stanford. He was replaced by Davis Mills and he decided to transfer to Mississippi St. In 6 games in the SEC he threw for 1283 yards 6 TDs and 11 INTs with a 64.1 Completion Percentage. Against LSU he threw for over 600 yards and 5 TDs. For his career, he threw for 7434 yards, 52 TDs, 29 INT, and 62.9 Completion Percentage. He is no athlete and strictly a pocket passer. This reminds me of Brady. He runs a pedestrian 5.11 40. He is no worse than Jake Dolegola on the Practice Squad. Strictly a developmental player but well worth the chance.
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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.
