2018 PatsPropaganda Patriots-Only Mock Draft

If ever there was a Patriots offseason that needed an injection of fresh storylines, this is it. After Rob Gronkowski‘s weird press conference last week, the NFL Draft will give those of us wanting some real football news a reprieve from all the sideshow drama.

The NFL Draft is spring Christmas, when we get all kinds of new presents to incorporate into our favorite football team. For a team that’s been to the Super Bowl three of the past four seasons, it’s strange saying they really need to solidify their foundation, but this is an important draft for the Pats.

With eight picks the Patriots are really set up to give their team a much-needed injection of youthful talent and what they need is pretty obvious.

There was just too much turnover and too many injuries in 2017. It started with Chris Long and Jabaal Sheard leaving, then Rob Ninkovich retiring, then injuries to Julian Edelman, Dont’a Hightower, Marcus Cannon and plenty of other bumps and bruises along the way that often left the Pats scrambling to insert new, unproven players. They’ve built some good depth, but they definitely need a talent injection at the second-level of their defense, with more athleticism and more edge depth.

The offense needs to have an eye on the future so they don’t get stuck in a turnover year like the defense did last year. And there’s a very interesting competition at left tackle shaping up, with LaAdrian Waddle and Tony Garcia officially back in the mix, free agent signees Matt Tobin and Ulrick John joining second-year players Jason King and Andrew Jelks, all in the mix for significant roles as the starting LT and swing backup tackle.

I know Belichick doesn’t draft for need, but here arejust three critical ones for the long-term health of the team.

1. Off-the-Ball Linebacker
2. Offensive Tackle
3. Defensive Edge

This speaks to the depth they’ve already built, and while they should take a CB, QB, RB and WR, there aren’t many truly pressing needs for 2018.

These are my favorite Patriots fits, taken about when I think they’ll be available. Let’s see if I can crack a two-year streak of no hits in my mock draft!

1.23 Rashaan Evans, LB, Alabama

Sometimes the best pick is the safest one and Evans is the perfect storm of fit and need. Evans has the much-needed athleticism at the linebacker spot that I’m craving in this draft. Obviously coming from Alabama we know he already has experience with the kind of coaching he’d get in New England. His smarts, toughness and ability to play multiple off-the-ball roles makes Evans the perfect fit to be added to the mix of Hightower, Van Noy, Marquis Flowers and Elandon Roberts. He could step in and immediately contribute on early downs, if not as another chess piece on passing downs who can cover or blitz. Taking Hightower in 2012’s first round was a franchise-changing selection and Evans could make a similar impact.

1.31 Connor Williams, T, Texas

I’ve seen a lot of Pats writers talking themselves out of spending a high-round pick to replace Nate Solder but I think one of the first rounders should definitely be a tackle, especially if someone liek Williams is available. I considered waiting for someone like Brian O’Neill or Kolton Miller in the next round, but I’m wishfully taking Williams here because he’s my favorite tackle in the class, even if he doesn’t quite match the phyiscal mold like O’Neill and Miller do.

Williams has been all over the place in mock drafts, sometimes in the teens, sometimes falling to the second, so who knows. He could bring a Mankins-like toughness and is the kind of hard-working tone setter that would really inject some life (read: meanness and attitude) into the offensive line which has four great pieces already in place. He’s a bit smaller than I think the Pats like so whether or not he can play left tackle in the NFL is a big question, but he checks every other box when it comes to how the Patriots want to play the game. Worst case he replaces Shaq Mason at RG in 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmzQ2-w1wiA

2.43 Lorenzo Carter, EDGE

It should be no surprise that I’m going back to the front seven for the second time in three picks. Carter has the prototypical fit for the Patriots edge spot. He has great length and athleticism to play both as a pass rusher or in space, whether tracking down ball carriers or dropping off into coverage. Carter would fit more in a defensive right edge, but would likely be used more in a stand-up role with more linebacker-type responsibilities instead of a hand-down Dietrich Wise/Chandler Jones-type role.

After we saw James Harrison step right in and play that role on the outside, it’s clear the Patriots need to rebuild the depth at this spot, though they’ll look to Derek Rivers to make an impact in a similar role. The Pats just didn’t have the four-strong array of ends that they really needed last year and bringing in Carter to compliment Rivers, along with Harvey Langi, would really give them a great young core. Carter would push Van Noy immediately, and allow some freedom for Hightower to move around.

2.63 Justin Reid, DB, Stanford

Reid is another popular Patriots pick and for good reason, he’s a smart, versatile defensive back who could play a number of positions in the secondary. And yes, that includes pushing fellow Stanford grad Jordan Richards down the depth chart. I continue to see Patrick Chung as the most vital piece of the secondary and we’ve been blessed that he’s stayed healthy. But adding more hybrid players who can play in the box and tackle is vital to the stability of the defense. The need for athleticism extends beyond linebacker and that’s where Reid can also help, as we’ve seen the Patriots use plenty of sub packages with multiple safeties. He might not last this long but if he does he’d be excellent value who would secure multiple positions.

3.95 Kyle Lauletta, QB

There’s so much debate about QB in this draft. Ultimately I don’t see a splash first-round move to get someone like Lamar Jackson, I see the same thing like they did with Garoppolo. Find value and develop. Lauletta is just the easiest fit to attach to the Patriots. He has the right size and style, was a two-time captain and yes, his Dad and Uncle played at Navy, which always sets off the Belichick alarm. The big question with Lauletta is arm strength, a similar question that surrounded Tom Brady coming out. I don’t know if he’s the slam dunk heir apparent to Brady, but he could really blossom with a year or two behind the GOAT and potentially grow into at least a nice bridge player. His Brady-esque low helmet look is a big plus in my book.

6.198 Trey Quinn, WR, SMU

Everyone was all over Quinn right out of the gate but seem to have cooled on him a bit as the draft season wore on. I’m still targetting him even though making the roster as a rookie wide receiver will be really tough this season. Maybe Quinn can be placed on the practice squad though and that’s why he makes sense in the 6th. With Amendola gone and Edelman coming off injury and turning 32 next month, the need to develop a slot receiver is critical. Yes, the Pats have a ton of receiver talent, but all of them except Edelman skew as outside guys, not the quick-open ones that Brady thrives with. Quinn is that kind of receiver and is well-built to take the pounding. Considered an “expert” route runner, Quinn makes up for what he lacks in explosiveness with smarts and reliability. Those are valuable traits in this offense. Expect a number of these “slot” receivers to be added as rookie free agents as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWkgQvBenhI

6.210 Dorian O’Daniel, LB/ST, Clemson

Okay this is my annual pick where I find one player described as a special teams demon and throw him in my mock draft for that reason alone. That’s exactly what O’Daniel is, a special teams madman and it doesn’t even matter if he ever plays a snap at linebacker. He was still a pretty versatile and athletic piece for Clemson at linebacker so who knows, but he had outstanding production on special teams (48 tackles) and that’s what is likely to catch Belichick’s eye. At this point if you’re an athletic linebacker of any size or skill I’d welcome adding him. O’Daniel checks a number of boxes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhnqWhybzfU

7.219 David Bright, OL, Stanford

Bright has all the intangibles as a team captain, and versatility to play multiple offensive line positions. He’s one of those offensive line flyers in the late rounds that doesn’t seem a slam dunk at any spot, but will work hard and could carve out a role simply because he plays hard and stays healthy. At this point the pick is all about securing a potential rookie free agent you really want. It could come at any position, so check out my big board for some other low end prospects that could make sense.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8tJfxmMNOU