We are only two days removed from an exciting draft, one that saw the Patriots select eight rookies to join their team ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Already the discussion has moved to training camp and what positional battles lay ahead, so, let’s have a quick dive into the new recruits!
QB Mac Jones | Round 1 (15)
After weeks, if not months, of speculation about what the Patriots would do on the first night of the draft, they ended up staying with their given pick at 15, and selecting Mac Jones out of Alabama.
Jones, who originally committed to the University of Kentucky, opted to instead enroll with Alabama and redshirted his first season in 2017. After Tua Tagovailoa got injured in 2018 and eventually declared for the 2020 Draft, Jones took over as the starter for the remainder of his collegiate career in Alabama.
I was intrigued by Jones heading into this year’s Draft, in his final college season, he set the NCAA record for pass accuracy (77.4%) and led the Crimson Tide to the CFB National Championship, you can’t teach winning.
In the days prior to the first round, Jones was considered the 49ers top pick at number three, but, as it turned out, they had other ideas as Trey Lance was selected after Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. Jones’ fall didn’t last past 15 as the Patriots selected a first-round quarterback for the first time since taking Drew Bledsoe in 1993.
Observations:
Accurate – Set the NCAA record for passing accuracy last season, something which is a top priority for signal-callers in the NFL.
Winner – Regardless of the juggernaut team around him, Jones still had to do the business, and he did last year, leading Alabama to Nick Saban’s seventh National Championship.
Competitiveness – Highly competitive and spoke of how he always wants to win in whatever he does. Being competitive in a regime under Nick Saban should translate well to a Belichick regime here in New England.
DT Christian Barmore | Round 2 (38)
Another Crimson Tide alum, Barmore was acquired by the Patriots following a trade with the Bengals to move up in the second round.
Barmore, a mountain of a man standing at 6-foot-5, 310 lbs, is just 21 years of age coming into the NFL. In two years with Alabama, Barmore registered 10.0 sacks, 68 total tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss. Last season was the best of the two, with eight sacks and three forced fumbles, a disruptive guy for sure.
Some talk post-draft has talked about if the Patriots reached a little for the DT, some scouts even expressing that they think Barmore will be a bust, but really, only time will tell, and I’ll prefer to let him show his skills on the field.
Observations:
BIG – A big guy who will probably line up at nose tackle, depending on the formation, but will be able to use his size to disrupt and potentially play a part in stopping the opposition’s ground game. Some likened him to a more skilled Adam Butler.
Pass Rush Ability – With eight sacks in his final college season, Barmore has shown the ability to get to the passer from his interior position, something which will be valued highly if he can translate the skill in the NFL.
Not Fast, But Strong – Won’t blow you away with quickness out of his stance, but is powerful and uses that strength to rip through offensive lines, could be a very fun player to watch this year.
DE Ronnie Perkins | Round 3 (96)
Ronnie Perkins was taken in the third round as the Patriots made it two-straight defensive additions.
A two and a half year starter for Oklahoma, Perkins a natural pass-rusher who can play in both stances, is also noted for his run defense ability at the edge which will benefit his versatility in New England.
Some decent stats to show for his career so far, 16.5 total sacks, 32.0 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. Perkins had some off-field issues during his time in college which led him to miss some games, but, had a good end to his time with the Sooners and should be a fun player to watch this year as I feel he may be able to earn a role.
Observations-
Versatile – Given his experience playing in both stances and different roles on the line, I feel he will be an easier fit for the Patriots, given how many defensive players they like to use throughout a game in different roles.
Edge Quickness – Can get moving off the edge and tracks the QB well in the backfield. No real experience in pass coverage, expect him to be a sole pass-rushing OLB/DE.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson | Round 4 (120)
The second straight Sooner selected was a running back, Rhamondre Stevenson, originally from Las Vegas, spent two years in junior college before a two-season tour in Oklahoma.
Labeled a “bigger back”, Stevenson is a 6-foot, 245 lb wrecking ball, he’s shown the ability to shed tackles and power his way upfield. During his two seasons in the Big 12, he amassed 1180 yards on the ground with 13 touchdowns.
Additional to his work on the ground, Stevenson has shown the skills to be a pass catcher, something which will go hand in hand with the Patriots RB style. Don’t be surprised if he isn’t seen much this season as history shows, the Pats like to redshirt rookie backs.
Observations-
Pass-blocker – Something which many noticed from the pre-draft analysis was his ability to be an effective pass blocker in college, this is a skill that is held in high regard with Patriots coaches.
Likeness To Blount- Comparisons to former Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount, and I can see why, although not as big as Blount, Stevenson hits hard and is able to bring an exciting element into the power run game.
LB Cameron McGrone | Round 5 (117)
That’s right, another Michigan linebacker joins the Patriots! A position which I thought they may look to in the draft, even after recruiting in free agency.
Cameron McGrone arrives in New England after having a two-year stint as a starter for Michigan, a quick linebacker who can track and make strong tackles in the backfield.
Originally thought of as a possible second/third-rounder, he dropped to round five following a bad knee injury, but, being only 20 years old, Bill Belichick mentioned that he is one for the future and we may not see him all that much in 2021.
Observations-
A Future Contributor- Being only 20, McGrone has plenty of time to blossom in the pro’s, given his knee injury, he may well have a slower introduction into the team, which may not be a bad thing. A development project with a decent ceiling.
S Joshua Bledsoe | Round 6 (188)
Originally a multi-position player in High School, Bledsoe committed to Missouri and spent four years as a safety during his college career. A two-year starter, he tackles well in space and is able to follow the ball on verticle routes.
Not without areas of weakness, Bledsoe has versatility and decent athleticism which at times he has to use to get him out of trouble for mental mistakes.
No expectation for him to come in and disrupt the current veterans in the depth chart, but has an opportunity to contribute on special teams.
Observations –
Special Team Roster Spot- Bledsoe has the chance to carve out a spot on the 53-man roster come late July, he has good tackling skills which would be of use in the specialist situation, whilst adding depth for the defensive backs.
OT Will Sherman | Round 6 (197)
A three-year starter for Colorado, William Sherman adds to the second-straight draft where the Patriots look to add depth to the line late on day three.
Sherman has played at both left and right tackle and has the potential to move inside and play at guard. Plenty of experience in the college game and we will see if he’s able to earn a spot during camp.
Observations-
Positional Versatility – We saw last year that Michael Onwenu had an excellent year in the league for the Patriots in a number of positions after he was also selected in the sixth round. Sherman’s experience playing at different positions on the line is a plus.
WR Tre Nixon | Round 7 (242)
Fans were crying out for a receiver on every day of the draft, and they were finally rewarded with the Patriot’s final pick in round seven.
Tre Nixon out of UCF comes in as some competition for a question mark position on the Patriots roster. A speedy receiver who ran a 4.43 40-yard dash had an impressive junior year with 49 catches for 830 yards and seven touchdowns.
His senior year was restricted to just four games as Nixon dealt with a shoulder injury.
A side note, this pick was hand-chosen by Ernie Adams, the long-time servant of the Patriots scouting and football operations team during his final draft, a touching tribute and moment as Adams called Nixon to tell him he was being drafted.
