Mock Draft 1.0 Pre-Free Agency: Best Player Available

It is that time of year again. My favorite parts of the year are free agency and the NFL Draft. There are so many variables and so many different ways for things to play out.

As soon as the Super Bowl and the NFL Draft Combine are over, I’m ready for winter to be over, as I’m most of you are too. I’m being a bit of a hypocrite here, as I always say, “You can’t look at the draft until free agency is nearly done.”

But I think everyone is pretty excited for both this year. I hope that with the amount of cash the Patriots have in cap space this spring, they’ll be able to fill a lot of holes they have throughout the roster.

Last Sunday, I pointed out the roster by position and gave my opinion on where they are in good shape and where they need some help, in some places a lot more than others.

Free agency has yet to occur, so for the purpose of this first Mock Draft, I’m proceeding as if it had. Also, for this first one, I didn’t include any trades. We know there will be some, perhaps several, but enough. Let’s take a look at what we came up with.

Pick #4 Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State:

I was quite surprised to see Carter at #4. But in this case, I’m not complaining. I was looking for the best player available, and here he was waiting for New England. Carter fills a position of need on the edge, where they need a much better pass rush. He is probably a Top 2-3 player.

Daniel Jeremiah and Matt Miller think he’s the best player in the draft, period. Miller said on “X”: “For me, it’s Abdul Carter 1st overall and then there’s a gap to every other prospect in this class.”

Strengths –

Lightning fast and aggressive at the point of attack.
Tremendous spin move leaves tackles holding air.
Great footwork and hand-fighting to keep blockers at bay.
No wasted movement.
Burst off the line will keep OCs awake at night.

Weaknesses –

Use of hands is still a work in progress.
Has only played on the edge for one year.
Can get pushed back by tackles in the running game

Pick #38, Josh Connerly, OT, Oregon:

Connerly improved down the stretch in 2024 and is considered a first-round talent in many circles. He’s 6’4, 315, and could use some time in the strength and conditioning room, but he’s very athletic. His pass blocking was excellent in 2024. He has all the tools to a special left tackle in the NFL.

Strengths –

Outstanding athlete.
Pass protection excellent
Plays with excellent leverage in passing/running games

Weaknesses –

Size isn’t ideal
Needs to finish better
Needs more power, especially in the run game

Pick #69, Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas:

One thing we hear often about the Patriots skill position players is that they lack explosion. Well, meet Mr. Bond, Isaiah Bond. He is an explosive playmaker, who can turn a short pass in the flat or in a short zone and take it to the house. Burst, acceleration, and top end speed, he’s got them all.

He primarily plays outside, but I could see Josh McDaniels moving him around and into the slot at times. He has a varied route tree. He’s not big, he’s 5’11, 180, so his run blocking isn’t going to wow you, but if you want a playmaker, an explosive wide receiver, he and Drake Maye should have some fun.

Strengths:

Elite speed, absolute deep threat.
A dynamic athlete with an explosive burst and top-end speed.
Fluid and easy mover; clean route transitions for good separation.
Outstanding YAC player, transitions from receiver to runner easily.

Pick #77, Mason Taylor, TE, LSU:

Talk about great bloodlines? His father is HOFer Jason Taylor. Taylor has that clutch gene his father has, seems to play his best at crunch time. He’s smart and was a two-time All-SEC Academic. He has great hands, and has a nose for where the chains are. He’s a smooth mover, who runs well and at 6’5, 250, will show up in the red zone, boxing out defenders.

Strengths –

68 percent of his receptions were 1st downs.
Good speed and smooth-moving route runner/separator.
Outstanding soft and reliable hands, only one drop in 2024.
Will find the gaps in zone coverage.

Weaknesses –

Despite good speed, wasn’t a great deep threat
Needs to improve overall strength, especially in the run game.
Needs better leverage when running routes.

Pick #105, Kyle Kennard, Edge, South Carolina:

A Gamecock? Well, who would have thought that? Another edge rusher? Yes, this guy may start out as a rotational pass rusher, but can become a three-down player. He’s 6’4, 248, and was the Bronco Nagurski Award winner in 2024. He was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Consensus All-American. Had 11.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. First Team Academic All-American.

Strengths –

Very twitchy, explosive burst, and beats tackles easily
He has a refined pass rush toolbox already; he will be pro-ready.
High-motor player who goes all out on every play, plays to the whistle.

Weaknesses –

Needs to be better at stack and shed consistently.
Will occasionally lose containment responsibilities by getting too far upfield
A tad light at 248 pounds, setting the edge is an issue at times. He needs to get stronger in the weight room.

Pick #145, Trevor Ettiene, RB, Georgia:

Ettiene is the younger brother of Jaguars’ Travis. Although Travis didn’t get the workload of an every-down back, he has the skills to be one. He’s 5’9 “and 209 pounds, with good but not great explosiveness. However, he has very good vision and is elusive.

Etienne has excellent hands out of the backfield and will add YAC with his ability to evade would-be tacklers.

Strengths –

Runs with good bend and a low center of gravity.
Will make tacklers miss on sweeps and tosses.
Soft hands catch everything in their vicinity.
Stacks YAC with field vision and elusiveness.

Weaknesses –

Not the biggest runner, which could impact his effectiveness.
Not as explosive as his brother.
Had off-field issues early last year (DUI and other charges)

Pick #219, Elijah Roberts, DE, SMU:

At this point of the draft, you’re looking for good depth guys who have the potential to develop. Roberts is a DE/Edge player who stands at 6’4, 278. The thing about him is his limited sample size.

After three years in Miami, where he got very limited playing time, he transferred to SMU, where he put together a strong season with 10 sacks. Against BC in a bowl game, he had seven QB hits and eight tackles.He can play down as a DE or upright as an edge player. Has great burst off the snap.

Pick #222, Alijah Huzzie, CB, North Carolina:

Huzzie played three years of excellent ball at East Tennessee before transferring to UNC for his final season. He’s slightly undersized at 5’10, 194, and would play in the slot at the next level. With his size, he could get boxed out and has only average top-end speed. However, he has a great eye for route recognition.

What makes him so intriguing, however, is his special teams abilities. He’s an excellent punt returner with two return TDs. And as a rookie, that alone could earn you some reps and a roster spot.

Pick #240, Garrett Dellinger, OL, LSU:

Dellinger played three years at left guard, but could also play center at the next level. At 6’4, 325, he has the frame but at times appears sluggish against pass rushers. He’d be a developmental project, but at #240, you’d expect that.

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“Talent sets the floor; Character sets the ceiling.” Bill Belichick

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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