OT, CB, WR, TE, EDGE, QB<\/strong><\/p>\n These are in no particular order, but as you will see, the draft will dictate what players are available.\u00a0 The depth of draftable players is also important.\u00a0 Remember the Patriots Draft Board is only about 75 players.\u00a0 They also have a list of players they want to sign as Un Drafted Free Agents.<\/p>\n Pick 14\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n I see the Patriots going in any of 4 ways with this pick.<\/p>\n If they have to pick at #14 and Wright is available the pick will be the OT from Tennessee.\u00a0 However, the Green Bay \/ NY Jets Aaron Rodger trade has thrown a big monkey wrench into the draft.\u00a0 The two teams have swapped places in the 1st<\/sup> round, surrounding the Patriots’ pick at #14.\u00a0 The Jets were possibly going to take an O lineman.\u00a0 The Packers are more likely to take a WR or Edge defender.\u00a0 There were 6 offers to trade as Green Bay took Edge player Tyree Wilson in front of the Patriots.\u00a0 Tackles Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones and Darnell Wright are all still available.<\/p>\n And the pick is in \u2026<\/p>\n Pick 14 <\/strong>TRADE to LAC for pick #21 and #54 (Draft Trade Chart NE 1100 LAC 1160)<\/p>\n Pick 21 Darnell Wright OT Tennessee – <\/strong>RAS 9.68, 4 Sr, Ht 6053, Wt 333 lbs, 5.01 40, 1.75 20, Arm 33 3\/4, Hand 9, Wing 82\u201d, Age 21.69<\/p>\n The Patriots get their man 7 slots later and pick up a 2nd<\/sup> round pick.\u00a0 Wright is a legit 4-year starter in the SEC.\u00a0 He appeared in 47 games and started 43.\u00a0 He is a large framed blocker and is described as having controlled violence when he unleashes his blocks.\u00a0 Heavy punch and arm extension which doesn\u2019t allow defenders into his body.\u00a0 Decreased his penalties from 10 in 2021 to just two in 2022.\u00a0 His heavy hands displace the defenders.\u00a0 SEC Freshman Team and the made 1st<\/sup> Team All-Conference as a Senior.\u00a0 He has 23 starts at RT, 13 at LT (2022), and 2 at RG.\u00a0 The two penalties in 2022 were for holding and the other was a false start.\u00a0 \u00a0He is a player that will be the cornerstone of the O-line for years to come.<\/p>\n Pick #31 <\/strong>KC TRADE picks #31 and #63 to NE for #46 and 54 (Draft Trade Chart NE 800 KC 860)<\/p>\n Pick #31 Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama \u2013 <\/strong>RAS INC, Ht 5091, Wt 199 lbs, Arm 30 \u00bd, Hand 9 \u00bc,\u00a0 Wing 74 1\/8, 40\u00a0 4.36, 20\u00a0 2.52,\u00a0 10 1.51, VJ 33 1\/2 – – – – (no broad, shuttle, 3-cone, bench \u2013 choice)<\/p>\n This is a Bill O\u2019Brien selection.\u00a0 He was banging the table to get this guy.\u00a0 Gibbs originally signed to attend Georgia Tech and played two seasons there.\u00a0 He was a Freshman All \u2013American running for 403 yards and catching 24 passes out of the backfield for another 303 yards.\u00a0 In 2020 he played in 7 games and started 6.\u00a0 In 2021 he was ACC 1st<\/sup> team with 746 rushing and 470 receiving. He entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2020 season and hooked on with Alabama.\u00a0 He was second-team All-American and 2nd-team\u00a0All-SEC with 926 yards rushing and 444 receiving yards.\u00a0 He had 44 catches in the 12 games (11 starts).\u00a0 He is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.\u00a0 Some have been calling him a slot RB as he lined up in the slot or out wide on 26.4% of his pass plays.\u00a0 Immediately he contributes as a 3rd<\/sup> down back.\u00a0\u00a0 Dane Brugler in his The Beast draft guide (The Athletic $) describes Gibbs as \u201cQuick as a hiccup and makes impressive full-speed cuts\u201d.\u00a0 Lateral agility and one-step acceleration make him a nightmare for open-field defenders.\u00a0 Gibbs understands protections and hot reads to play on any down.\u00a0 He was described as a humble competitor and not an attention seeker.\u00a0 His 6.1 Yards Per Carry in 2022 was 3rd<\/sup> in SEC.\u00a0 At 5\u20199\u201d 199 lb size is his only drawback.\u00a0 He has some trouble with pass protection just because he doesn\u2019t have enough sand in his pants to re-direct rushers.<\/p>\n Another bonus is that the Patriots would get Gibbs in the 1st<\/sup> round and have the option for 5th<\/sup> year under his rookie contract.\u00a0 Funny, the more I write about Gibbs the more I think they would be a perfect team to take him!<\/p>\n Pick #63\u00a0 Jonathan Mingo WR Mississippi \u2013 RAS 9.86 <\/strong>4 SR, Ht 6016, Wt 220 lbs, 40\u00a0 4.46 (4.37 HH),\u00a0 20 2.56, 10 1.52, Vert 39 \u00bd, BJ 10\u20199\u201d, BP 22, 3-cone 7.04, Arm 32 1\/8, Hand 10 3\/8, Wing 75 \u00be, Age 22.02 Largest Hand size of all receivers.<\/p>\n The Patriots select Mingo higher than he is projected as the #12 WR and 3rd<\/sup> round projection.\u00a0 They want him and they take him earlier as has been their Modus Operandi in past drafts (Cole Strange).\u00a0 Has played in 41 games with 39 starts over his 4 years.\u00a0 Missed 7 games in 2021 with a stress fracture in his left foot.\u00a0 A team Captain in 2022, he had 51 receptions for 861 yards and 5 TDs.\u00a0 He was 2nd<\/sup> team All-SEC.\u00a0 Uses his size and strength to outmuscle defenders.\u00a0 Uses body position to seal off DBs and makes several one-handed catches.\u00a0 His coach Lane Kiffin described him as an egoless player who never complains about catches or playing time.\u00a0 Needs to work on his blocking as he was described as half-hearted about blocking.\u00a0 \u00a0He doesn\u2019t use his natural size and grabs too much (three holding calls in 2022).<\/p>\n Pick #76 Tyler Steen OT Alabama<\/strong> \u2013 RAS 9.46 (4th<\/sup> OT) 5 SR, Ht 6060, Wt 321, 40 DNP Arm 32 \u00be, Hand 10 \u00bd, Wing 80 \u00bd, Age 22.84<\/p>\n Steen may be the steal of the draft.\u00a0 He started as a freshman at Vanderbilt manning the LT position.\u00a0 He was a 4-year starter in the SEC (3 at Vandy and 1 at Alabama).\u00a0 Another player that Bill O\u2019Brien is very familiar with as an opponent at Vanderbilt and then as a 5th<\/sup> year Grad starter at LT at Alabama.\u00a0 Steen made 2nd<\/sup> Team All-SEC at Alabama.\u00a0 His arm length is a little short but that has never stopped the Patriots from putting players at LT (Matt Light).\u00a0 Has initial quickness for a man his size to scoop, reach and seal, and pays close attention to his angles in run blocking.\u00a0 If he gets his massive hands on the Defender, he locks on like a crocodile death grip.\u00a0 That also gets him in trouble as he had 5 holding penalties in 2022.\u00a0 He has 50 Games Played and 46 Starts in the SEC.<\/p>\n Pick #96<\/strong> Trade ARI trades #96 to NE for #107 and #135 (Draft Trade Chart NE 112.5 ARI 110)<\/p>\n Pick #96 Corey Trice\u00a0 CB Purdue – <\/strong>RAS 9.78 (5th<\/sup>) 5 SR Ht 6033, Wt 206 Lbs, 40 4.47, 20 2.65, 10 1.58, VJ 35 1\/2 , BJ 11\u2019, BP 17,\u00a0 Arm 32 3\/8, Hand 9 \u00be, Wing 77, SS 4.06, 3-Cone 6.70, Age 22.91<\/p>\n Dane Brugler has him ranked as the #14 CB and #88 overall, a solid 3rd<\/sup> round selection.\u00a0 He is still on the board and the Patriots have not taken a CB yet.\u00a0 He is a big CB at 6\u20193\u201d and is tough in man press coverage.\u00a0 He has the makeup speed and the quick turn change of direction as evidenced by his 6.70 3-cone drill.\u00a0 A 5th-year player that had 35 GP and 26 starts.\u00a0 Missed all but two games in 2021.\u00a0 Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2022.\u00a0 Strong in run support with big hands, size, and strength to ward off blockers.\u00a0 Had 12 passes defended in 2022.\u00a0 Evidence of his closing speed and change of direction to be an effective and disruptive cover corner.\u00a0 \u00a0Started as an S and moved to CB after freshman year.<\/p>\n Pick #117 Charlie Jones WR Purdue<\/strong> \u2013 RAS 6.89 6 SR Ht 5113, Wt 175, 40 4.43, 20 2.55, 10 1.54, VJ 36 \u00bd, BJ 10\u2019 4\u201d, Arm 31 5\/8, Hand 9, Wing 74, SS 4.15, 3-cone 6.84, Age 24.49<\/p>\n Patriots take back-to-back Boilermakers.\u00a0 I am taking Jones for one reason and one reason only.\u00a0 In the Big Ten matchup against Penn State and their highly touted shutdown CB Joey Porter (1st<\/sup> Round pick) Jones had 5 catches for 150 yards.\u00a0 The Patriots need a true slot receiver and that is exactly what Jones is.\u00a0 Jones is light and his RAS grade reflects that.\u00a0 His journey began at Buffalo where he red-shirted in 2017 and played in 14 games and 2 starts in 2018.\u00a0 He transferred to Iowa as a walk-on in 2019 but had to sit out a year per NCAA rules.\u00a0 Played in 4 games in 2020 and made 2nd<\/sup> team All-Big Ten as a Punt Returner.\u00a0 He earned a scholarship.\u00a0 Led Big Ten in Punt Returns and was Specialist of the Year.\u00a0 Had 635 kick-off return yards leading the Big Ten.\u00a0 Led FBS in a number of Punt Returns.\u00a0 Transfer Protocol led him to Purdue in 2022.\u00a0\u00a0 Led FBS in the number of receptions (110) and had 1361 receiving yards in his only season as a starting receiver (13 games).\u00a0 Jones was 2nd<\/sup> team All-American and 1st<\/sup> Team All-Big Ten.<\/p>\n Jones is explosive off the line with \u201csee-ya\u201d speed according to Dane Brugler in the Beast Draft Guide.\u00a0 Despite his small hands, he had only three drops in 154 targets.\u00a0 He puts his head down and works, that preparation is evident on game day.\u00a0 Would immediately become the team KO return man and back up to Marcus Jones in Punt Returns.\u00a0 Only 1 year of experience at WR.<\/p>\n Pick #184 Sterling Thomas V CB University of Alabama Birmingham<\/strong> – RAS\u00a0 N\/A, 5 SR Ht 6\u2019, Wt 194, 40 4.38, 20\u00a0 , 10 1.59, VJ 37.5, BJ 10\u201905, Hand 9 \u00be, Arm 30 3\/8 , Wing 74 3\/8, SS 4.36, 3-Cone 7.29, BP 14<\/p>\n At this point of the draft, the number of players left on the Patriots draft board is few.\u00a0 They may actually be taking players that they considered as priority UDFAs.\u00a0 Instead of having to compete for them, they are just drafting them.\u00a0 Sterling Thomas V may be one of those players.\u00a0 The Patriots had him at the East-West shrine game on their team.\u00a0 Any DB that can run a 4.38 is worth taking a look at.\u00a0 If for no other reason than to have him on the Practice Squad and see if he can develop.<\/p>\n Thomas redshirted in 2020 recovering from a torn ACL.\u00a0 He played in 52 games and started 42 of those in his 5 years.\u00a0 He was Honorable Mention All-CUSA in 2021 and 1st<\/sup> Team All-CUSA in 2022.\u00a0 Led the team with 15 Pass Deflections.\u00a0 No one questions his toughness as he played through a torn CL in the last 7 games of the 2019 season.\u00a0 Excellent in support of the run and is always around the ball in the secondary.\u00a0 Poor 3-cone time has me concerned about his ability to change direction, but he has tremendous makeup speed.\u00a0 He is also penalty prone with 22 over the last three seasons.\u00a0 Most of that has to do with tracking the ball and not knowing where he is in relation to the man he is covering.<\/p>\n Pick #187 Jerrod Clark DT Coastal Carolina<\/strong> \u2013 RAS 5.26, 5 SR, HT 6035, Wt 334, 40 5.25, 20 3.02, 10 1.77, Arm 33 \u00be, Hand 9 \u00be, Wing 82, Age 23.45 didn\u2019t BP<\/p>\n Clark was impressive at the Senior Bowl practices.\u00a0\u00a0 He is a road grader at 334 Lbs and strictly a 2 down player.\u00a0\u00a0 A local kid (Dorchester) that the Patriots had him in as one of their allowed local visits.\u00a0 Played in 38 games for Coastal Carolina and started 35.\u00a0 Third team All-SBC and a team captain.\u00a0 Patriots give extra points in their evaluations if a player is a Captain.\u00a0 This is why the Patriots maintain leadership from year to year as key veterans leave\/retire they have others with leadership experience stepping up.<\/p>\n Clatk had 105 Tackles, 18 Tackles For Loss, and 7.5 sacks over three years.\u00a0 His experience as a TE and Basketball Power Forward has helped him stack the line of scrimmage.\u00a0 Nose Tackle that eats up space.<\/p>\n Pick #192 Jason Taylor S Oklahoma State<\/strong> – RAS 9.22, 5 SR, Ht 5115, Wt 204, 40 4.50, 20 2.55, 10 1.49, VJ 43, BJ 10\u2019 9\u201d, SS 4.20, 3-Cone 7.16, Arm 32 10, Wing 78 \u00bc, BP 14 Age\u00a0 23.33\u00a0 12th<\/sup> ranked S by Dane Brugler with 4th\/5th round grade.<\/p>\n Another player that took advantage of an extra year due to COVID.\u00a0 This resulted in Taylor playing in 54 games and starting 27.\u00a0 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2021 and 1st<\/sup> team All-Big 12 in 2020.\u00a0 Taylor is well built with good length for his size.\u00a0 His Vertical Jump was 2nd<\/sup> amongst all participants at the combine.\u00a0 Above average instincts from either the box or post.\u00a0 Anticipates well and trusts his vision decisively breaks on crossers\/ in cuts.\u00a0 Didn\u2019t commit a single penalty while playing in college.\u00a0 Had 19 passes deflected and 8 INTs over the last two seasons.\u00a0 Offers a ton of experience on Special Teams (536 snaps).<\/p>\n Pick # 210 Stetson Bennett QB Georgia<\/strong> \u2013 RAS 8.19 (5th<\/sup>), 6 SR Ht 5113, Wt 192, 40 4.67, 20 2.65, 10 1.58, SS 4.20, Arm 28 7\/8, Hand 10, Wing 72, Age 25.50<\/p>\n Bennett has led Georgia to consecutive National Championships.\u00a0 Despite his short stature being under 6\u2019 tall, he has all those intangibles you want in a player.\u00a0\u00a0 He is a modern-day Doug Flutie.\u00a0 You just can\u2019t measure heart \u2026 ask all those teams that passed on Tom Brady.<\/p>\n Average arm but can make those sideline throws because of great mechanics and short arm quickness.\u00a0 Anticipates and makes his throws before the receivers are out of their breaks. \u00a0Has a knack (like Flutie) of finding those clear sightlines to throw.\u00a0 Throws well on the run.\u00a0 One of 12 FBS QBs to rush for more than 10 TDs.\u00a0 He is a self-starter, Coach Kirby Smart had this to say about Bennett \u201che didn\u2019t cry, pout leave or transfer.\u00a0 He just kept working and working and when he got the opportunity, he took advantage of it\u201d.\u00a0\u00a0 Bennett took a preferred walk-on position and earned a scholarship.\u00a0 In 2020 he took home the Burlsworth Trophy for the best player in D1 that was originally a walk-on.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t seen the movie \u201cGreater\u201d the Brandon Burlsworth Story, I highly recommend it.<\/p>\n Bennet finished his college career at Georgia in the top 5 in school history in completions (601), passing yards (8,428), and TD passes (66).\u00a0\u00a0 He finished with a 29-3 record as a starter.\u00a0 National Championship Offensive MVP 2 consecutive years (21 and 22), 2nd<\/sup> Team All-SEC.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0This guy deserves a chance and he might be just a camp arm or Practice Squad insurance.<\/p>\n Pick #245 Jake Witt OT Northern Michigan<\/strong> \u2013 RAS 9.8, his RAS score is 27th<\/sup> out of 1293 that have been tested since 1987. 5 SR 40 4.89, 20 2.76, 10 1.71, VJ 37, BJ 10.03\u2019, SS 4.62, 3-cone 7.44, Arm 33 \u00bd, Wing 80 5\/8, Age 23.22<\/p>\n\n
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