In my latest mock draft the Patriots appear to be content with Stidham as their starter. The Patriots draft off team needs and seem to fill all their holes. The Patriots don't have a lot of cap and trade down from 23 acquiring three additional picks. While the team missed out on a few players, the team will be poised to control the AFC East, if they have the right guy under center in 2020.
A big athletic linebacker who can shed blocks and stop the run. Can play any of the linebacker positions. Should be a SAM or a Mike linebacker. His ability to play man or zone is still untapped and much unknown. Adds depth to the special teams. While there is room for development, should be a contributor on day one.
"One-time highly rated linebacker best up the field or in the box. Aggressive, fires up the field and drives through tackles. Very quick and nicely redirects to the ball carrier. Stout tackler who brings opponents down at the point of attack. Possesses an explosive closing burst, plays with violence and blows through blocks to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. Effectively uses his hands to disengage from opponents. Rarely off his feet." -PFN
Muti is projected as a Zone Guard but I think the Patriots will try him out at center. There's no Guarantee that Andrew's will come back healthy but if he does, Muti would make Thuney tradable by the deadline. Muti has experience at both guard and tackle. He is very athletic and can move to secure his blocks or be a solid anchor. Might be the best Interior offensive lineman in the draft.
"if his future team is able to keep him on the field and healthy, it’s Muti has the potential to be a significant steal in the draft. He has fringe first round ability and is a starter at guard for any team that runs a blocking scheme based on zone blocking concepts. The question is where teams are comfortable taking that risk. " - Big Blue View
Albert O is underrated by many. I have seen comparisons to both Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. Both are compliments. If Albert can play upto the level of either, the Patriots will find a pass catcher sorely missed in 2019.
"He shows good overall athleticism and versatility for the position. In the run game he is good due to his willingness to come off the ball and strike. He demonstrates good technique as an inline blocker and keeps his hands inside. In the passing game he has aligned inline, at “H”, and even flexed out as an “F”. He shows good speed when running seams and other deep routes in the passing game. He demonstrates good toughness to catch the football when contact is imminent. He demonstrates good tracking ability when the ball is in the air. He also displays good, natural hands and rarely allows the ball into his frame." - Harris the Draft Network
Willekes will be either a OLB in the 34 or a 43 end. Willekes has a good mix if power, agility, and speed. He should be able to set the edge with ease and create problems on passing downs. Playing opposite of Winovich the Patriots should have a solid edge containment and again be a top defense as long as they can sure up the middle of the line.
"Racking up 47.5 tackles for loss and 22 sacks from 2017-2019, Wilekes has been a highly productive defender for Michigan State. He plays with unmatched urgency and is highly competitive. While he may not have the highest ceiling, Willekes does have a high floor as a 4-3 defensive end. His modest play strength and athleticism will present challenges defeating blocks in the NFL and he’ll need to become more reliant on his technique which has room for growth. At a minimum, Willekes should be a valuable rotational end and his upside is contingent on if he can get stronger and become more nuanced." -Marino TDN
With the loss of three linebackers the Patriots need to do something. The leadership ability and athleticsm of will be missed but they are replaceable.
"Aligns stacked at OLB on the strong and weak side for the Boilermaker even front defense. Defensively they have aligned with some hybrid principles and he has aligned as an OLB when they have gone to an odd front. Has shown the positional flexibility to flex out over the slot WR, reroute him in space from an off position and carry the route upfield. Good instincts with regards to run fits and consistently does a good job leveraging the football. Displays excellent football IQ and instincts for the position. Also shows very good mental quickness to diagnose run/pass and locate the football. Skill set suggests he could call the defense and still execute his assignment." -Harris the draft network
It's clear the Patriots cannot rely on Lacosse or Izzo to play the number one or two role at tight end. The Patriots were in dire need of both pass catchers and blockers in 2019. O"Grady can fill that role and adds depth to the fullback position. This might be a bit early but still a solid pick up.
"Cheyenne O’Grady brings an exciting pass catching skill set to the table where his hands, ball skills and ability to win after the catch are standout traits. He would be a wonderful security blanket for an NFL quarterback but he also has the ability to stretch the field and bust zone coverage. While there is room for technical growth, O’Grady gives great effort as a blocker and he’s more than willing. In addition to the need to fine tune his route running skills, the biggest concern with O’Grady is his off field history. He was suspended three different times at Arkansas and left the team in November of 2019. He has the ability to start and be a meaningful option in an NFL passing game if he can be reliable." -Marino TDN
Strnad can play anywhere, including special teams. With the departures of Van Noy, Robert's, and Collins the Patriots will need to make sure they have their core Rebuilt. "Justin Strnad projects favorably as a next level linebacker thanks to his range and explosiveness. Strnad took notable steps forward in his final season with the Deacs, showing more confidence in his reads and more trust in his eyes to break on action quickly. Strnad can continue to increase his productivity with continued focus on stacking blocks and keeping his frame clean, but there's plus skills to work in space as is. Can be a starter in an even front as the WILL linebacker playing in space." - Crabbs Draft Network
With the loss of Shelton and Butler, the Patriots have some what of a hole in the Interior of their defensive line. The Patriots are not looking to have a sack machine, just a guy who can plug the hole.
"While Williams may not be an instant plug and play starter at the next level, he could rise to that in the near future. He has all the assets needed to be a solid run stuffer and while his pass rush potential may not be as high, it is not obsolete. His pedigree and experience also give him a helping hand. Starting 42 consecutive games in the MSU is highly impressive and gives Williams some valuable experience, especially as the outlook on rookie minicamps and OTAs look murky at best. He would be a suitable candidate to bolster the interior depth..." - Daniel Valente Steelers Depot
Again there is a hole in the Interior line that needs to be filled. Clark should be a good 3-4 Nose guard. Teamed with Williams the Patriots would no longer have a hole and would need the linebackers to do their job.
"Clark plays with strong and active hands, and utilizes a violent and quick swim that leaves offensive lineman in a full lunge. Quick lateral movements and closing speed for his size. Strong tackler when he’s able to get ball carriers within his grasp. Uses his length to keep offensive lineman from getting under his pads, constantly playing with his eyes in the backfield. Solid interior penetrator who rarely gets caught with his eyes down or getting blown off the line of scrimmage. Strength in his upper body allows him to torque offensive lineman and disengage. When he’s playing with proper leverage, he’ll split double teams and beat reaches with ease. He dominated the Rose Bowl against Oklahoma’s highly touted offensive line. Solid build to play from shade or at the 3-tech at 6’4 and 300 pounds." TDN
Automatic under 40 with power to kick the long ball. With the loss of Gostkowski, the Patriots have a major spot to fill. This would be the steal of the draft.
"Charismatic kicker and fan favorite -- as long as he's making his kicks. His thick, black-rimmed glasses have become his trademark, but so too are booming touchbacks and a big leg to hit 50-yard field goals with plenty of ball flight leftover. Blankenship rarely mishits the football, but does need to make sure he elevates drive kicks consistently. He should be the first kicker off the board." -NFL.com
The Patriots could use a back up and with a little development he could push Hoyer off the team. Huntley could one day be a starter IMO but here he's just a back up selection.
"Superb runner with the ball in his hands. Has the agility to make read keys miss in tight quarters and the burst to win the edge and threaten the third level. As a passer, can put zip on the ball getting it into the boundary: arm strength isn't legendary, but it's fine. Can throw with touch down the field and has a few bucket throws on tape, especially when hitting the outside shoulder on the boundary. Has a nice over-the-top release to keep the ball on a rope; can adjust arm angles when pressure dictates. Loses no accuracy or velocity on the move and can throw from the silliest of platforms. Is instinctual feeling pressure on his backside and has the flexibility and strength to break tackles in the pocket. Seems like a gamer." - Solak TDN
The Patriots have room to develop a number five receiver and also could use to add some youth on special teams. The Patriots clearly did not have the return game one would've hoped for in 2019.
"Has outstanding speed and field vision with the ball in his that makes him a multifaceted weapon as a kick returner, runner and creator after the catch. Has emerged for Virginia, and developed his receiving skill set nicely. While he can win down the field, he isn’t just a deep threat. Showcases good hands, body control and ball tracking skills. Decisive with the ball in his hands and he has the juice to break pursuit angles. Has excellent vision and creativity with the ball in his hands. Experienced lining up in multiple places (wide/slot/backfield/h-back) and executed routes with good tempo. Thick, stocky frame. Should be a standout special teamer both returning and covering kicks." - Marino TDN
The Patriots are still pretty deep with Edelman, Sanu, Harry, and Meyers. With Edelman getting up there, the team should look to adding one more pass catcher. Getting to learn from both Sanu and Edelman could Fasttrac Bayless's development. "Omar Bayless is an intriguing late bloomer who will warrant consideration as a developmental talent. Bayless exploded in a big way in 2019 and will have to answer concerns about being a one year wonder — but he's got the size, ball skills and hands to be an effective target if he's able to further develop his route breaks and become a more consistent separator before he's got the ball in his hands. Upside is an NFL starter but he'll need more polish in his game to get there." - Crabbs TDN
There's no guarantee that any of the current fullbacks on the Roster are going to produce. Smith is a receiving threat who can line up as the in line when not in the back field. One thing that hurt the Patriots was not having a true fullback in 2019. Smith's versatility should allow for a camp battle at fullback or tight end. It's been a while since the Patriots have had a true pass catching threat from the fullback position.
Like with Muti, I expect the Patriots to use Kraemer at Center. Kraemer will need some development.
"Huge, wide, big, large. Really tough to work around in pass protection given the sheer breadth and length he brings to the interior. Also present an issue on combo/scoop blocks as he wins on half-man relationships and walls off the second level nicely when working off of doubles. Has a headhunter's mentality when he's uncovered and regularly broadsides unsuspecting rushers as a help blocker; will also look to flatten when he's steamrolling into the second level. Has some recovery flexibility when working to re-anchor against bull-rushes and doesn't have much panic in his game when facing power." - Solak TDN
