The Patriots shocked the NFL world when Bill Belichick selected Harry. Before anyone could ask Bill about the select, he was already on to Joe Juan Williams. Then Bill shocked the world again just before the trade deadline of the 2019 season, selecting Mohamed Sanu from the Atlanta Falcons with the 23rd pick of the 2020 NFL draft.
"Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III and Oklahoma’s CeeDee Lamb are pipe dreams but let’s be real, none of them are falling in the Patriots’ lap at pick number 23. However, there is a great tier of receivers right behind this trio that New England could actually be in play for at different parts in the draft depending if the team does pick at 23 or opts to trade back for another pick later in the second or third round. Says Spagnoli.
If the Patriots can trade down their number 23 pick for a second and a third or fourth round pick, then it becomes more likely that Bill will select a receiver. Meyers and Gunner O were undrafted rookies. Edelman, Sanu, and Harry were banged up. Plus Nobody knows what the Patriots actually got when acquiring Sanu and Harry. The Only "Receivers" the Patriots know 100% what they have in are Edelman and Slater, and special teamer Slater, who unless it was all Tom Brady's fault (Chris Hogan Fans might think so) is not catching passes any time soon.
The Patriots need versatility as they need guys who can contribute on Special teams as well. Guys like KJ Hill (Ohio State), Joe Reed (Virginia) or Devin Duvernay (Texas). The Patriots don't need to go after top shelf liquor when middle and bottom shelf quality will get the job done.
The Patriots have more priority needs like tight end, linebacker and Interior defensive line. They cannot afford to waste a high value pick on a receiver unless one falls.
Spagnoli adds "However, within their current four top-100 picks, they are a little too spread out and back-loaded to truly find some immediate help at positions of need. The most ideal situation to get the most value at multiple positions early on would therefore be a trade-out of the first round."
I would say Trade down in the first round before trading out. Baltimore has the number 28 and the number 60 picks in the draft. That's almost like getting a second and a third for their first round pick but there are teams like the lions or Giants who would still wanna move up and pay for the number 28 spot. There are many of trade possibilities.
We saw last year with Harris, Cajuste, and Froholdt that if a player slides further down then expected, Belichick has no issues picking them up. I think there's a good chance that could happen with KJ Hamler whom was mentioned earlier.
"If the Patriots want to fully invest and build around projected starting quarterback Jarrett Stidham for the future, getting him as much help at both the wide receiver and tight end position is imperative to building a strong core for the future. The same, however, goes with addressing other positions all over the roster." Says Spagnoli.
With the departures, the current Patriots have holes. That must be addressed, otherwise the team might be a 6 and 10 team, no matter how much Belichick game plans.
There is Talent going all the way down into round seven. This is a deep receiving class. In his article Spagnoli cut off everyone after round four. Well it just goes to show how flawed the scouting process it. If we're eliminating rounds five through seven as far as draft Prospects go, While I hate bring this up because many Patriots fans don't recognize the 13-3 superbowl 53 victory versus the Rams. The Patriots don't make the greatest catch in superbowl history against the Falcons. It was a seventh round selection who caught the ball an Inch from the ground. Not a first, not a second, but a seventh round draft pick.
Hell, Russell Wilson doesn't throw an Interception to Butler, if we exclude players outside of the first four rounds because neither would've played. This draft is full of late round sleepers, especially at the receiver position.
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