My Twenty-four Best Fit Prospects For The Patriots In The 2022 Draft.

Who are the Patriots going to draft? With free agency still approaching, it's hard to say. Currently I have the Patriots with seven positions of need. They are receiver, outside corner, linebacker, safety, tackle, defensive tackle, and third down back. I was going to try to write a draft profile for every prospect I thought was a fit but I don't have the energy. So instead, I decided to list who I think the Patriots should go after.

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.

Day Three Scouting: Belton, Corker, And, Sterling

Dane Belton Safety Iowa standing 6'1" on a 205 pound frame. 

Can play deep or closer to the line. He has the strength and agility to come up and stop the run or to blitz the quarterback. He keeps his eyes on the quarterback in zone coverage. Can be used to cover move tight ends and backs. Does a good job putting his hands in the right spot. Knows how to come away with the ball. Needs to add some weight and will need some development in his coverage. A day three projection.

Tre Sterling Safety Oklahoma State standing 5'11" on a 205 pound.

Good awareness and a sharp tackler. Has good speed and is a capable blitzer. Instinctive defender and a tight frame. Needs to get more flexible. Has versatility to be play various roles in the secondary at a depth skill level. And will need some development in coverage. Will probably see more time as the nickleback and on special teams. He's over looked for his teammates and is undervalued. Another day three prospect.

Yusuf Corker Safety Kentucky standing 6' on a 200 pound frame.

Good awareness and vision. Can make tackles in the box or in space. Will be an early down safety and special teams player but can cover. Does a decent job at getting his hands where they need to be. And showed some skill to be the second deep safety. Needs to improve on his zone coverage. He can play the slot if need but he needs to improve his footwork. He looks stiff in man coverage and occasionally will avoid engaging with blockers. Projects as another day three prospect.

Leon O'Neal and Markquese Bell scouting reports.

Leon O'Neal Safety Texas A&M standing 6'1" on a 210 pound frame.

An every down safety who can play various roles in the secondary including coming up to stuff the run. Has excellent coverage instincts. Has good footwork and knows how to get into the backfield. Will provide leadership in the locker room. 

His speed and agility have been called into question and he will need to develop his tackling skills. His man coverage will also need improvement. He will also need to learn to play with more discipline.

Day three projection compared to James Ihedigbo and Johnathan Abram.

Markquese Bell Safety Florida A&M standing 6'2" on a 205 pound frame.

A true safety, can play any assignment. Against the run he's got kind of a throwback style agression. And his coverage skills are adequate. His plays the pass just as aggressively but his eyes get him in trouble. 

Bell has experience at receiver to assist in his ability to cover the pass. And he's good at breaking up contested catches. He also has no issue knocking receivers off their route when playing close to the line.

Concerns with his hips and flexibility have him a day three prospect.

The Combine Weighting Shows There Are More Z Than X Receivers.

Earlier this year there was a disagreement I had with some of my fellow Patriots fans. Majority of fans wanted a number one true X deep threat. I thought that they could get a number two or three guy in the X that could be Nelson Agholor and that people wanted Randy Moss, a guy the Patriots would have to ignore open guys and force the ball to. I believe the Patriots need an underneath guy as a number one.

When I looked at the receivers, I saw a lot of the top receivers as versatility Z receivers that can play the slot or the X. People thought that I was nuts. When I said that Olave was a Z people said I didn't know how to scout receivers. However, When the receivers weighted in, majority of them were at a slot weight. That just solidifies my opinion. 

While there are a few true X receivers in the draft, the number of intermediate receivers clearly outweighs the X. Evan Lazar and Alex Barth suggested that Patriots deep threat in the draft should be a vertical slot. If the Patriots biggest need at receiver is a true X why would they suggest that from this class? The answer is because if you want the Patriots to get a number one and a vertical threat, it's not coming from the X this year.

I know, the Patriots met with all the top wideouts. Like Bedard said, look who reported at the time they were meeting and look at what they need. Don't get excited about who the Patriots are talking to. Monitor how people perform at the combine and pro days and watch free agency. Also make a second list of the best players for that position if you're solely looking at the X. Remember when people think Bill is gonna zig, he zags. Bill might bot even draft a receiver.

Joseph And Taylor-Britt Scouting Reports

Kerby Joseph safety Illinois standing 6' on a  200 pound frame. A game speed guy with questions about his athletism. He has a large wingspan and has shown big play abilities.

Intelligent defensive back who plays well as the deep safety. Does a decent job at breaking up plays but his ability to process plays has been called into question. Needs to work on his eyes in coverage.

Aggressive run defender who needs to develop better tackling techniques. Is a capable Blitzer when asked. Needs some fundamental development.

He projects as a backup free safety early who might see more time as a rover. Should be a day three prospect. 

Cam Taylor-Britt Safety Nebraska standing 6'2" on a 205 pound frame. An athletic defensive back capable of playing corner or safety, who can play multiple roles in a secondary unit.

Has strong hands capable of pass deflections or using them to shed blocks. Not afraid to attack on running plays and has an old school torpedo tackling mindset.

He has the recognition skills desired as a zone defender. And he has the feet and awareness to play man coverage. The problem in coverage is he gets greedy and plays the ball when he should be trying to make a tackle.

He's another prospect who will need some fundamental development. And his instincts are inconsistent. He's still raw as he is a quarterback convert. And it shows more when he's playing the slot defender.

He projects as an early day three defender with potential to develop into a starter. His natural ability play the position will make him a steal in the later rounds of day three. If Devin McCourty returns for another season, he could be an excellent under study.

Jalen Pitre scouting report

Jalen Pitre Safety Baylor stands 6' on a 197 pound frame. Could use to bulk up. As his strength to speed ratio is not where teams may want it for a NFL caliber safety. He has ball hawk corner speed and below average corner strength.

Quarterback of the defense. Reads the defense well and breaks well on the play. He can play various roles including linebacker but teams may want to improve one area instead of keeping him a jack of all trades. Could go higher in the draft but his fundamentals are reportedly not where they should be.

Excells as a deep zone safety who is aggressive in man coverage which causes problems. Needs to become more flexible as more athletic receivers will beat him in the underneath areas. Does a good job at knowing where to put his hands to make life difficult for pass catchers.

Decent at breaking blocks and getting to the ball carrier and forcing the quarterback to stay in the pocket. Not afraid to blitz. Needs to learn to wrap up the upper body, prefers ankle area tackles. Can over pursue. Is a good run stopper. However, his open field tackling needs work. Again, that's where fundamental development comes in.

Pitre is a true Dime of Doom (3-2-6) defender compared to Javon Holland. The college rover should start as a nickle defender while devloping into a true free safety. Projected as a day two selection. Could be drafted in the top 40 by a needy team willing to reach but should be a rotational piece in year one.

Cross, Hawkins, And Bolden, Three Safety Prospects

Nick Cross Safety Maryland standing 6'1" on a 210 pound frame.

Former track star possessing elite defensive back speed. Should be able to use his track abilities to earn a spot on special teams.

Can be used in a multitude of was as a safety and has the versatility to play multiple defensive back roles. Capable of playing both zone or man coverage. Knows how to play the ball whether it's punching at it or trying to deflect it.

Cross needs a little development to fine tune his tacking ability. And his recognition skills need to improve also. Has been accused of not giving full effort at times.

Brad Hawkins Michigan standing 6'1" on a 221 pound frame.

Needs to let the play develop a little in front of him before he reacts. And his role as a safety at the pro level has been called into question but he is a true defensive back.

He's capable of playing man against tight ends and can play the zone but will need further development as a zone defender. He does not play to get turnovers.

Not a guy teams are going to want to be a slot defender. Capable of coming up and being an extra linebacker. Plays at game speed which might be concerning for some NFL scouts.

NFL comparison Rayshawn Jenkins projected as a day three selection. Will need to come in as a backup and earn his stripes.

Bubba Bolden Safety Miami (FL) standing 6'3" in a 200 pound frame.

Intelligent player who trusts his instincts too much and can get beat. A willing and intelligent tackler who needs to do a better job at getting to the ball carrier. Can develop into the defensive play caller.

A true safety capable if causing scheme nightmares for offensive coordinators. Should be able to be a back defensive back if teams need help in other secondary roles. Might not want him covering the number one or two option alone.

Capable of making tackles and will go after the ball, batting it down or punching at it. Can be a little stiff which leads to him getting beat in both the passing and running game.

Injury history has hurt his production and thus his draft stock. Compared to Chris Conte, he's another day three prospect.

Verone McKinley III Oregon Scouting Report

Verone McKinley III Safety Oregon standing 5'11" on a 195 pound frame. 

Intelligent knows how to breakdown what's he's seeing but will occasionally make a bad read or free lances and get caught out of place. Capable of playing multiple roles in the secondary. Knows how to attack the ball. 

Plays well in zone coverage and can hold his own in man. Not the fast guy, he's not going to be covering Stefan Diggs. He's a hawk. 

Good open field tackler. Not a liability in the run game. Does a good job at bring down the guy once he makes contact. With that said, he's not a guy teams are going to want to sub as a linebacker often. 

But the key is stringing everything together. His angles to the ball. Making sure he gets free from blockers. The extremely bad thing is he doesn't appear to have much of a special teams upside.

NFL comparisons Damon Webb, Richard LeCounte and Buddy Baker. He projects to be a late day two to day three guy. 

My Top Three Patriots Prospects Per Position And How They Stack Up To Another Popular Board

I was curious how my draft board stacks up against other boards. Lazar and Barth said they use NFL Mock Draft Data Base. Looking at my top three per position, here's how my Patriots's fit boards stack up against a professional or semi professional board.

Quarterback: This isn't a position of need for the Patriots but I would like them to draft a backup for Mac. I have Dustin Crum, he's a better passer then given credit for. Reminds me of Tyrod, conservative and doesn't put the ball at risk. Which is why people hate Tyrod as a starter and why they knock Crum. I guess today's fans like throwing into tight coverage and turning the ball over. So glad that's not the style the Patriots like.

Sleeper: Dustin Crum ranked 378, peaking at 267.

Running Backs: I think the Patriots need a receiving back that can help on special teams. Someone that can challenge James White, Brandon Bolden, and J.J. Taylor. 

1) Kenneth Walker ranked 61, peaking at 38.

2) Wan'Dale Robinson (WR convert) ranked 57, peaking 57.

3) C.J. Verdell ranked 245, peaking 98.

Sleeper Pick: Zonovan Knight ranked 187, peaking 86

Long Shot: Calvin Turner Jr. ranking N/A

Receiver: The team needs a true X as a number 2, not a guy that always has to be forced the ball from the X. And could use a true number one at the Z or Slot which fits better into their offense. The guys I like can play all three roles to varying degrees.

1) Chris Olave ranked 24, peaking at 8.

2) Garrett Wilson ranked 12, peaking 8.

3) Jahan Dotson ranked 30, peaking 19.

Sleeper: Jerreth Sterns ranked 263, peaking 150.

Tight End: again another position the Patriots don't really need but if the guy is there, I think he could give Asiasi or Keene a competition.

Talent Grab: Trey McBride ranked 44, peaking 36.

Offensive Tackle: This is mainly tackle. If they have ability to play inside, that's a bonus but I'm not looking at that. Brown and Wynn made 2021 he'll on the team.

1) Evan Neal ranked 1, peaking 1.

2) Trevor Penning ranked 26, peaking 19.

3) Kenyon Green ranked 23, peaking 6.

Sleeper: Luke Tenuta ranked 253: peaked 168.

Defenders Tackle: Barmore is a good pass rushing defensive tackle but he's not Vince Wolfork or Danny Shelton when it comes to the run. Thus the team needs more interior help.

1) Jordan Davis ranked 20, peaking 1.

2) Phidarian Mathis ranked 50, peaking 46

3) Devonte Wyatt ranked 35, peaking 35

Talent Grab: Neil Farrell ranked 149, peaking 112.

Linebacker: The middle of the line needs fixing. I would move Hightower to the end if he's back in 2022 but the middle needs speed and youth. Maybe it's McGrone, I don't know.

1) Devin Lloyd ranked 18, peaking 9

2) Leo Chenal ranked 109, peaking 68.

3) Alex Wright ranked 339, peaking 79.

Sleeper: Aaron Hansford ranked 162, peaking 159.

Cornerback: Who knows what's going on with J.C. Jackson. The Patriots need a good outside corner across from him and if he doesn't return, they need a number one outside corner.

1) Derek Stingley ranked 6, peaking 1.

2) Ahmad Gardner ranked 8, peaking 8.

3) Roger McCreary ranked 33, peaking 27.

Sleeper: Kalon Barnes ranked 283, peaking 107.

Safety: D-Mac might not be back. The team hasn't been the same at safety since Harmon left and I wouldn't move Dugger over. Maybe Mills but I think they like him in rotation with Dugger.

1) Kyle Hamilton ranked 5, peaking 2.

2) Jaquan Brisker ranked 42, peaking 34.

3) Daxton Hill ranked 34, peaking 21.

Sleeper: Jaylen Foster ranked 367, peaking 214.

Punter / Kicker: Jake Bailey is going to cost the Patriots and might be a candidate for a trade. And the Patriots have been looking to replace Nick Folk. So I have a guy that can do both.

1) Matt Araiza ranked 246, peaking 167.

Overall, I think my top three per position are within reason for the Patriots and seem to be ranked decently. I went with one extra prospect at running back because Robinson is technically a receiver. Typically I focus on rounds 4 through UDFA prospects. I get made fun of for that. When your team drafts at the end of every round, expecting to get a top 20 or even top 50 pick is unrealistic. With the Patriots drafting two years in a row in the middle third, I was afforded the ability to look at top 64 players, instead of a handful in the top 100.

Bryan Cook Cincinnati Scouting Report

Bryan Cook  safety from Cincinnati standing 6'1" and weighting 203 pounds. A few extra pounds wouldn't hurt.

An intelligent safety who has ideal tackling abilities. Capable of playing multiple defensive back roles and able to help on special teams. A former cornerback and has the ability to cover tight ends.

Free Safety who has average instincts in coverage. Better in zone coverage than man. And writer's aren't happy with his ball production. He's better in intermediate and deep coverage then near the line.

His run stopping ability is excellent entering the next level but there is still a little room for improvement. Needs a strong pro day or combine as his speed has been called into question. 

His NFL comparisons are Jaylinn Hawkins, Julian Blackmon, and  Sheldrick Redwine. No I am not making that last name up. And he's a development early day three projection who should be a starter before the end of his rookie deal.