Fresh off the Sam Darnold trade to Carolina, I will re-set the draft order and priorities.<\/p>\n
From all indications, it appears QB\u2019s will be taken in the first 4 draft positions in this years\u2019 draft.\u00a0 Thanks to the SF trade, and the ransom they paid to Miami to get the number 3 pick, they have turned the draft upside down.\u00a0 Atlanta was in a great position to either grab their QB of the future or trade the pick to one of 4 teams looking for a QB (DEN, NE, WAS, and NO).\u00a0 San Francisco has been rumored to be enamored with Alabama\u2019s Mac Jones.\u00a0 Atlanta could still come away with a quality OT if they traded with DEN or NE.\u00a0 I thought the cost was going to be outrageous and similar to what Miami received (3 1sts and a 3rd<\/sup>).\u00a0 However, the Carolina trade devalues the Atlanta pick now.\u00a0 Carolina is still sitting at #8 and could take one of the top three WR\u2019s or TE Pitts.\u00a0 ATL would not trade the pick to a team in its own division. \u00a0\u00a0Mac Jones was Carolina\u2019s pick at QB and they determined that SF was going to select him.\u00a0 Darnold can play right away and they are going to exercise his 5th-year\u00a0option.\u00a0 This is actually good news for the Patriots.<\/p>\n Will Bill Belichick pay the price to move up to number 4?\u00a0 I doubt it.\u00a0 He won\u2019t mortgage the future to take a very big chance on a rookie QB that won\u2019t play this year.<\/p>\n The Bengals won\u2019t take a QB but would listen to offers.\u00a0 They need an OT to protect Joe Burrow.\u00a0 Up next is MIA.\u00a0 The trade with PHI essentially blocks the Pats from moving up to this spot.\u00a0 MIA would never make this trade with NE because they are in the same division.\u00a0 \u00a0Could they trade with Denver?\u00a0 Highly unlikely.\u00a0 They are looking at one of the top three WR\u2019s.<\/p>\n Detroit at number 7 is the most likely trade partner for the Patriots.\u00a0 Because of the Carolina trade, the competition for a QB just reduced.\u00a0 If the Pats want the #5 QB (and it just might be the number 1 QB I wanted for the Patriots) then they will no longer have to overpay.\u00a0 \u00a0Moving up from 15 to 7 would take two number ones and possibly a future number 3.\u00a0 It might just be the two number ones.\u00a0 Will BB do this?\u00a0 How bad does he want this QB?\u00a0 We won\u2019t know this until Draft Night.\u00a0 I am sure Belichick has already had initial discussions with trade partners up and down the 1st<\/sup> round.\u00a0 The parameters of a deal have changed since the Carolina trade.\u00a0 He will have to re-contact them to re-establish the new parameters of a deal.\u00a0 Come draft night, all he has to do is see how the draft board falls out and if his player(s) are available in those positions.\u00a0 Then he makes the decision to pull the trigger on a trade.<\/p>\n What if the price is too high for Bill to trade up?\u00a0 Depending upon who is on the board at the time of selection 15, the Patriots could select a player or trade down (which is Belichicks MO).\u00a0 Likely all the top QB (5), WR (3), DB (2), TE (1), Edge (1), OT (2) will be gone at this point.\u00a0 That leaves the top ILB, #3 OT, and the second tier of WR. \u00a0If they stayed at 15 I would like to see the Patriots take WR Rashod Batemen of Minnesota.\u00a0\u00a0 He is a true #1 receiver.<\/p>\n Who are the second tier of QBs?\u00a0 Kyle Trask (Florida), Kellen Mond (Texas A&M) and Davis Mills (Stanford) make up the next group.\u00a0 In the Pro Football Focus Mock Draft Simulator, all three of these QB\u2019s are gone by pick 75.\u00a0 That\u2019s not a good scenario for the Patriots.\u00a0 Using their 2nd<\/sup> round pick on any of these QB\u2019s would be too high.\u00a0 None would be left for the Patriots’ next selection in Round 3, a compensation pick #96.\u00a0 A trade up into the top 75 is also difficult.\u00a0 It might take the 3rd<\/sup> (96), and two 4ths<\/sup> 120 +122).<\/p>\n Here is a little background on these three quarterbacks.<\/p>\n Kyle Trask \u2013 6\u20193.6\u201d 240 lbs, 5.02 40<\/strong> \u2013 He started as a Freshman at Manvel TX HS.\u00a0 He didn\u2019t start again until his redshirt Jr year of college.\u00a0 He was second string to a QB that received several D1 offers.\u00a0 Florida saw him at one of their camps, liked him, and took a chance on him.\u00a0 Redshirted his 1st<\/sup> year, broke a toe his Redshirt Freshman year, and had a broken foot his Redshirt Sophmore year.\u00a0 He worked himself up to back-up to Feleipe Franks (Arkansas) going into his Junior season.\u00a0 Franks was hurt in the opener and Trask never came out.\u00a0 He has just two years of experience but played in the toughest conference, the SEC.\u00a0 He threw 69 TD\u2019s to 15 Int over his career.\u00a0 He thinks quickly and gets rid of the ball.\u00a0 He is a grip it and rip-it thrower.\u00a0 The greatest attribute is his touch on his throws.\u00a0 He is not a good deep thrower.<\/p>\n Kellen Mond \u2013 6\u20193.5\u201d 211 lbs, 4.62 40<\/strong> \u2013 He started all four years in the SEC.\u00a0 At the Senior Bowl, he was selected MVP of the game (because Mac Jones didn\u2019t play).\u00a0 Mond led Texas A&M to a 9-1 record and 4th<\/sup> nationally.\u00a0 His 19 TDs to 3 Int were exceptional in 2020.\u00a0 However, he only completes 60% of his passes in 2020!\u00a0 He can be a pocket passer and is dangerous outside of the pocket where he can throw on the run or run with the ball and show off his 4.62 speed.\u00a0 He reminds me of Colin Kaepernick as a QB.\u00a0 He has a very quick release and makes quick decisions<\/p>\n Davis Mills \u2013 6\u2019 3.1\u201d 220lbs,\u00a0 4.87 40<\/strong> \u2013 Another QB with limited playing time.\u00a0 Mills played 8 games in 2019 and just 5 (PAC 10 rules).\u00a0 He met the 60% rules both years (65.6% in 2019 and 66.2% in 2020).\u00a0 His TD\/Int rate was also good (11\/5 in 2019 and 7\/3 in 2020).\u00a0 Mills lacks mobility and is strictly a pocket passer.\u00a0 He is best suited for a quick timing offense.\u00a0 \u00a0He had some injuries early with knee surgery coming out of HS and then again his Freshman year.<\/p>\n Mock Draft 3.0<\/strong><\/p>\n Here is my most recent Mock Draft using the Pro Football Focus simulator.\u00a0 I find their draft rankings to be the most accurate and up-to-date.\u00a0 I will use Quinn Meinerz as an example.\u00a0 They have him ranked at #53.\u00a0 If I hadn\u2019t used pick #46 I may have lost him.\u00a0 \u00a0This mock is post-Carolina trade for Sam Darnold.\u00a0 This drastically affects what the Patriot will have to offer to move up.<\/p>\n Trade #15 and 2022 1st to DET for #7 and select Trey Lance\u00a0 –<\/strong> This is where the Carolina trade had the impact.\u00a0 Since Carolina no longer needed a QB, then the cost for the trade with Detroit became reasonable.\u00a0 BB pulls off the trade and the Pats get their QB of the future.\u00a0 Trey Lance was the QB I wanted all along and couldn\u2019t be happier.<\/p>\n 46.\u00a0 Quinn Meinerz LG\/OC Wisconsin \u2013 Whitewater (D III) \u2013<\/strong> He is 6\u20193\u201d 320 and ran a sub 5.0 40.\u00a0 A year earlier rather than a year late is my motto.\u00a0 I have expounded about his ability often in my columns.\u00a0 He dominated the Senior Bowl practices and was voted by his peers (D lineman he dominated) as the Practice player of the week.\u00a0 Karras is on a one-year contract, Wynn may not get his 5th-year\u00a0option exercised and Brown is on a one-year contract.\u00a0 Onwenu had one of his best games at Left Guard, but depending on the tackle situation next season Owenu may be called upon to switch again.\u00a0 Meinerz broke his hand in the Senior Bowl practice and finished the practice without missing a snap.\u00a0 He taught himself how to shotgun snap and the Senior Bowl was the first time he played OC (and played well).\u00a0 PFF has him rated #53 in the Draft overall.\u00a0 His Pro Day numbers were all in the 90th<\/sup> percentile all time.\u00a0 He is being described as the most intrinsically motivated person.\u00a0 His nickname is \u201cGut\u201d and he was a captain for Wisconsin-Whitewater.\u00a0 \u00a031 of 32 NFL teams were represented at his Pro Day with NE, CIN, PIT and CAR sending their O-line coaches and SF and DET sending their Director of college scouting.\u00a0 NE sent bot o-line coaches.\u00a0 Meinerz watches film of Shaq Mason and that is the player he is most compared to.<\/p>\n 95. Demetric Felton RB\/WR UCLA 5\u2019 9\u201d 190, 4.59 40, \u00a07.21 3- cone –\u00a0<\/strong> The Patriots love versatility.\u00a0 In 2019, Felton was a WR catching 55 passes for 594 yards and 4 TDs.\u00a0 Then in 2020, UCLA coach Chip Kelly, a close friend of Belichick, moved Felton to RB and for the 5 games the PAC 10 played, he rushed for 694 yards, 5 TDs and a 5-yards-per-carry.\u00a0 He also caught 22 passes for 3 TDs.\u00a0 Brandon Bolden is over 30, James White is on a one year contract and Sony Michel\u2019s contract is up this year.<\/p>\n 120 Milton Williams DT Louisiana Tech –\u00a0 6\u2019 3.2\u201d 278, 4.61 40, 4.87 3-cone (Better than Felton), 38.5 Vertical (better than Robinson) – <\/strong>\u00a0We were aware of his physical numbers weeks before his Pro Day.\u00a0 He participated in one of the Exos Combines in February.\u00a0 He bettered those number at his pro Day.\u00a0 His performance on the field doesn\u2019t match the numbers he put up.\u00a0 Could be a classic looks like Tarzan but plays like Jane scenario.\u00a0 At pick 122 I have to take a chance on him.\u00a0 He could be trick or treat.\u00a0 He also threw up 34 reps at 225 lbs.\u00a0 A perfect 3-4 DE.\u00a0\u00a0 Lance Zerlein thinks Williams improved his draft position into Day two, possibly a 2nd<\/sup> round selection. I don\u2019t see that happening because of his lack of production over his career.<\/p>\n I have to admit, I lost WR Dwayne Eskeridge with this pick.\u00a0 The speedy wideout from Western Michigan was picked with the next selection.\u00a0 I was hoping to wait till 122 to take him.\u00a0 I don\u2019t believe he will last this long.\u00a0 I have him going 2nd<\/sup> or 3rd<\/sup> round.<\/p>\n 122.\u00a0 Simi Fehoko WR Stanford \u2013 6\u20194\u201d 222. 4.44 40 6.78 3-cone –<\/strong> Fehoko is an imposing target. He has a wide catch radius and will fight for those 50\/50 balls.\u00a0 He was 1st<\/sup> team All PAC-10 for the abbreviated 2020 season.\u00a0 37 catches for 584 yards and 3 TDs in six games.\u00a0 He has the speed despite his size to create separation on long go routes.\u00a0 He is also a great red-zone target.\u00a0 Developmental type of player.\u00a0 I\u2019m not happy with our receiving corps as it\u2019s currently constituted.\u00a0 I think Harry will get traded and Edelman will retire.<\/p>\n 139.\u00a0 Robert Rochell CB Central Arkansas 6\u2019 193, 6.84 3-cone<\/strong> – Rochell is a very good press corner.\u00a0 He has tremendous ball skills being a former WR.\u00a0 His 38 career PBU and 10 Int attest to that.\u00a0 Rochell is a handsy CB, hand fighting all the way.\u00a0 That needs to be cleaned up.\u00a0 Some teams may see him as a Safety.\u00a0 He is definitely not a slot corner.\u00a0 He looked good at times in the Senior Bowl practices.\u00a0 However, when lined up in the slot against Kadarius Toney and Amari Cooper, he looked lost.<\/p>\n 177.\u00a0 Shi Smith WR South Carolina 5\u2019 10\u201d 186 4.43 40, 6.89 3-cone<\/strong> – Smith is known as the YAC Monster. Every time he touched the ball he was likely to take it to the house. \u00a0He had 29 starts but the QB situation was inconsistent at best.\u00a0 Smith is a speedy developmental slot receiver.\u00a0 He looked great at the Senior Bowl.<\/p>\n 188.\u00a0 Robert Hainsey T Notre Dame 6\u20194.4\u201d 306 lbs 5.24, 7.54 3-cone 32 reps @225<\/strong> – Hainsey is maxed out as far as his weight.\u00a0 He has good functional strength as evident by the 32 reps.\u00a0 He is a 3-year starter at RT.\u00a0 He will be an adequate backup \/ developmental player.\u00a0 Next year both Wynn and Trent Brown will be Free Agents.\u00a0 Hainsey will have a fight to make the 53 man roster.<\/p>\n 197.\u00a0 Bobby Brown III DT Texas A&M<\/strong> \u2013 I would not pick Brown but would take Ben Mason FB Michigan 6\u20193\u201d 246 4.75 40 who was unavailable in the PFF Draft. Mason plays FB, H-Back, TE and on all 4 special team units. He has also played for Defensive coordinator don Brown at DE and DT.\u00a0 He was recruited as a LB, and his physical size \/ speed numbers he would be #3 amongst the ILB in this draft.\u00a0 You know how Bill likes versatility and special teams performers.\u00a0 Mason blew up the Senior Bowl with devastating blocks that reminded me of James Devlin, only a better receiver out of the backfield. Mason has Patriots written all over him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 242. Marlon Williams WR University of Central Florida 5\u2019 11 209 4.63 40, Williams is described as a big slot receiver.\u00a0 He catches whatever is thrown to him and has good YAC as he is able to run through contact.\u00a0 In 2019 he had 51 catches for 712 yards and 6 TD\u2019s.\u00a0 He topped that in 2020 with 71 catches for 1037 yards and 10 TDs.\u00a0 He competes for every ball and often comes down with the ball when battling in traffic.\u00a0 He is a developmental player that would not be expected to make the team the 1st<\/sup> year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fresh off the Sam Darnold trade to Carolina, I will re-set the draft order and priorities.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":5903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[22266],"tags":[22265,44],"class_list":["post-36351","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-2021-patriots-draft","tag-2021-patriots-draft","tag-new-england-patriots"],"yoast_head":"\n