I have broken down my players into three groups. Rounds one and two, rounds three through five, and rounds six through UDFAs. One of each position per group. I am also including three players of value to the seven positions. They aren't really of need at the moment but they could be the best player available at some point. Each group is in no order of value, it's just how I wrote it.
Rounds one and two:
Outside Corner Roger McCreary Auburn 5'11" 190 pounds (can play man or zone and is being over looked as a corner one prospect)
Linebacker Leo Chenal Wisconsin 6'3" 250 pounds (maybe a two down linebacker in year one)
Defensive Tackle Jordan Davis Georgia 6'6" 341 pounds (Last year the Patriots got their Richard Seymour, now they can get a faster Big Vince)
Safety Jaquan Brisker Penn Station 6'1" 199 pounds (The Patriots may have to replace McCourty and they still haven't replaced Harmon.)
Tackle Trevor Penning Northern Iowa 6'7" 325 pounds (Brown and or Wynn could both be gone and Penning may have interior ability)
Z Receiver Jahan Dotson Penn State 5'11" 178 pounds (The Patriots need a number one that fits their system not a number one that fits an offense they don't run. We saw how they used Agholor, they're not going to draft a guy early to just run sprints. Dotson can line up anywhere and has return abilities.)
Third Down Back Wan'Dale Robinson Kentucky 5'8" 178 pounds (If the Patriots want to really get a threat in the backfield to replace White, they'll draft Robinson and convert him to running back.)
Best available Tight End Trey McBride Colorado State 6'4" 246 pounds (If the Patriots decide to part ways with Smith, McBride can be what they thought Smith was. Regardless of Smith, McBride is a weapon.)
Rounds three through five:
Outside Corner Tariq Woolen UTSA 6'4" 205 pounds (offers some versatility, could be rotated to safety.)
Inside Linebacker Darrian Beavers Cincinnati 6'4" 237 pounds (He's a Developmental guy with ability to stop the run or to cover zones.)
Defensive Tackle Phidarian Mathis Alabama 6'4" 310 pounds (The Patriots need a run stopper along side pass rusher Christian Barmore. Mathis should be an early two down player.)
Safety Bryan Cook Cincinnati 6'1" 206 pounds (A true safety that will allow the Patriots options in scheming.)
Tackle Abraham Lucas Washington State 6'6" 315 pounds (can replace either Wynn or Brown and has swing Tackle upside that the Patriots haven't had since Waddle left.)
Receiver Romeo Doubs Nevada 6'1" 204 pounds (Like with Dotson, this is more of a fit. He can play any receiver role which will allow the Patriots options with game planning and scheming. He barely edged out Charleston Rambo in making this list.)
Third Down Back Zonovan Knight N.C. State 5'11" 210 pounds (Knight can be a receiving back but he also has special teams abilities. He read like a better version of B. Bolden and a lesser Burkhead.)
Best Available Punter / Kicker Matt Araiza San Diego State 6'2" 200 pounds (The guy can kick near 60 yard field goals with ease, boots 80 yard punts with accuracy, and can handle kickoffs. Jake Bailey is gonna cost a lot. Plus the Patriots been trying to get rid of Folk. They can have Araiza do both and keep Nordin on the practice squad.)
Round Six to UDFAs:
Outside Corner Kalon Barnes Baylor 5'11" 183 pounds (He's a prototype in need of development. This is Bill's next hidden cornerback gem.)
Linebacker Aaron Hansford Texas A&M 6'2" 239 pounds (A Developmental side to side middle linebacker. Offers a lot of versatility.)
Defensive Tackle D.J. Davidson Arizona State 6'3" 327 pounds ( An early down run stopper who needs development. Might not be a starter but will offer tremendous value.)
Safety Reed Blankenship Middle Tennessee 6'1" 205 pounds (A Developmental free safety who can be used in several ways. Should be developed into a starter or an elite backup.)
Tackle Luke Tenuta Virginia Tech 6'8" 319 (An intelligent swing tackle who just needs development and should be a suitable backup. )
Receiver Jerreth Sterns Westen Kentucky 5'9" 183 pounds (The Patriots need to replace Edelman. College scouts admit he was mis-scouted. He had an amazing 2021 season and is only being looked at as a day three guy because he played for Western Kentucky. Give him a year to learn the playbook and by 2023 he will be the guy Scarnecchia said Mac Jones needed.)
Third Down Back Calvin Turner Jr Hawaii 5'11" 205 pounds. (Over looked because he played at Hawaii and having an offense changed due to two head coaches. He can lineup in the backfield and is a capable runner. He can lineup as the X, Y, or Z and has good seperation skills and hands. He's a former quarterback and defensive back, who just so happens to also be a return specialist and special teams player. He is a Belichick player if there ever was one.)
Best Available Quarterback Dustin Crum Kent State 6'1" 210 pounds (If there was a quarterback in last years draft that I would've been okay with Cam Newton mentoring, Crum was him. I had Crum as the third best quarterback fit for the Patriots to draft and then he decided to return to school to get more development in the position. He's extremely safe with the ball, kinda like the guy who's been floating around the league since they took Buffalo to the playoffs. Crum's not going to replace Mac but he could be a decent backup and be the guy to succeed Hoyer. I also never thought of it but Alex Barth pointed out he has the athletism to be used like Taysom Hill in New Orleans.)
And there you have it. Out of all the prospects I liked as fits for the Patriots, these are the guys I think would fit the best with the Patriots and make the most difference. These are also guys I think the Patriots have a realistic chance of getting. However, with the NFL draft and the insanity of reaching, the Patriots may have access to guys I didn't think they could aquire, or these guys could go earlier then expected. Who knows. With the draft still being so far away, anything can happen.
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