The New England Patriots enter this draft in a truly unique situation. Like always, defense remains an area of solidification no matter how strong the unit is. However, they might need help at quarterback and wide receiver, too, though Bill Belichick would tell you that his signings of Cam Newton, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne are sufficient. Newton, wide receiver Julian Edelman, cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and linebacker Dont’a Hightower all hit free agency next offseason, so those positions are specific areas that require attention.
The PFF Mock Draft simulator was used for this article.
Round 1, Pick 15: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State
Micah Parsons is one of the top prospects in this draft, but his talent could be overlooked by one of the wildest quarterback situations the league has ever seen. The Penn State linebacker checks all the boxes for Belichick as he balled out in college, fits a position of need for the Patriots, and is one of the top players available. Parsons in a New England system would be terrifying.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Jaylen Waddle and Mac Jones. Both are incredible prospects, but Parsons is too intriguing to pass up.
For more on Parsons, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 2, Pick 46: Dyami Brown, Wide Receiver, North Carolina
Brown gives the Patriots a wide receiver who can move around. He has posted the most success as a deep threat, but he also provides value in the slot and has an impressive ability to produce yards after the catch. As our own Mason Thompson details in the scouting report linked below, Brown is also a sneaky good blocker. His versatility will be what grabs Belichick’s eye the most in the middle of the second round.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Jamar Johnson, Landon Dickerson, and Alim McNeill.
For more on Brown, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 3, Pick 96: Jamar Johnson, Safety, Indiana
Johnson is a fluid defender with great instincts in the passing game. He possesses solid athleticism and balled out late in the year at Indiana. Still, he does have some weaknesses. As our own Alex Barbour explains, the tackling just isn’t great, he lacks pass-rushing prowess and run support, and he is not versatile. With that said, nobody is expecting an immediate star in the back half of the third round and Johnson projects nicely as a single-high safety. He is one of the better players on the board here.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Jamin Davis, Chazz Surratt, and Josh Myers.
For more on Johnson, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 120: Jamin Davis, Linebacker, Kentucky
Taking another linebacker before addressing quarterback, cornerback, or the defensive line was not the initial approach here. However, Davis has second-round talent and doesn’t deserve to wait until Day 3 to hear his name called. He is a strong tackler with decent mobility and versatility. This is a really great weapon for Bill Belichick assuming he is okay with taking a second linebacker. Building depth at the position could allow the Patriots to not re-sign Hightower next offseason if money becomes an issue.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Kelvin Joseph and Milton Williams.
For more on Davis, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 122: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Joseph was an option two picks ago and becomes a must-draft here. He has very good ball skills and athleticism with plenty of room to develop elsewhere, too. The biggest knocks on Joseph are tackling and run support. Still, he won’t be expected to start right away. He can learn plenty from Gilmore and J.C. Jackson before being asked to step up to a bigger role in 2022.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Milton Williams and Tay Gowan.
For more on Joseph, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 139: Milton Williams, DL, Louisiana Tech
Williams was a candidate for each of the last two selections, so he was the clear choice when available at No. 139. Furthermore, he has versatility which, in case you could not tell yet, is a major theme of this draft. A ferocious interior lineman who succeeds in run and pass defense, Williams has the ability to shift to the end of the defensive line and rush from the outside. He also produced very well at Louisiana Tech.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Tay Gowan and Brady Christensen.
Round 5, Pick 177: Khyiris Tonga, DL, BYU
Tonga is a strong, big-bodied lineman who is quite impressive as a run defender. Ideally, Tonga will be someone who requires a double-team, forcing offenses to be picky with where they allocate their players. So while Tonga might not be a tackle-getter himself if he faces a double-team, he will create opportunities for the rest of the defense to penetrate. Side note: taking another defensive lineman here was a tough pick, but he projects as a backup and merely provides depth. If you can solidify your depth chart in the fifth round, you make the selection 110 percent of the time.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Justin Hilliard, Trey Brown, Simi Fehoko, and Cornell Powell.
Round 6, Pick 188: Justin Hilliard, LB, Ohio State
An argument could have been made to take Hillard in the fourth round, so snagging him here at No. 188 was tremendous. He’s a solid athlete with the potential to have some success in coverage, though he’s likely destined for a depth and special teams role. This isn’t a bad thing, though, because finding depth and special teams standouts in the sixth round is considered a standout. Hilliard likely won’t last this long in the real draft, but that’s a conversation you can have with the folks behind the PFF simulator.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Trey Brown and Simi Fehoko.
Round 6, Pick 197: Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford
Fehoko is a good-sized, physical playmaker. He has a big frame and solid catch radius, and his ability to fit in almost any scheme could be great for New England. Of course, he might not catch passes right away, but at worst he’s still going to be a decent special teamer. Once again, if you can draft someone at No. 197 that you know can stick on the roster (whether it be an offensive player, defensive player, or special teamer), you pull the trigger. The fact that it comes at a position of need is just an added bonus.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Ian Book, Sadarius Hutcherson, and Jonathon Cooper.
Round 7, Pick 242: Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
Getting a quarterback earlier would have been ideal, but Shane Buechele, Sam Ehlinger, Feleipe Franks, and Book were the only top guys available when the Patriots picked at No. 96. Book and Franks both fell to No. 242, so the latter was the choice. If he sticks out of camp, he’ll likely be headed to the practice squad. He is a gritty, mobile player but cannot throw the ball deep. Still, he has plenty of room for development and could be a fun, longshot project for the Patriots.
Other players available here that warranted consideration include Feleipe Franks and Brenden Knox.
For more on Book, check out our scouting report on him here.
In the end, the most glaring storyline will be New England’s decision to pass on Mac Jones in the first round. There is an argument to be had, but ultimately Parsons is a more talented prospect. Additionally, the Patriots did not get a running back in this mock. The time was never right, but Belichick typically does snag one back in the later rounds of the draft, so expect that to happen on draft day. Finally, there was no offensive lineman picked. This, too, likely won’t be the case in late April, though they won’t aggressively search for help in the trenches after shoring up the unit in free agency. Much like the backfield, the O-line can be solidified on Day 3.
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