In their first season without Tom Brady since the turn of the century, the New England Patriots finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they are picking in the middle of the first round with the 15th overall selection. To make matters worse, the Patriots forfeited their own 2021 third-round pick for illegally filming the Cincinnati Bengals’ sideline during the 2019 season. However, the Patriots will receive a third-round compensatory pick for losing Brady in free agency last year. Without further ado, let’s take a look at how the Patriots could attack the 2021 NFL Draft in this seven-round mock draft.
To help with this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Make sure to check out all of our other NFL Team Mock Drafts.
Round 1, Pick 15: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Thought Bill Belichick would take a quarterback in the first round? Not likely. They passed on Jordan Love last year and didn’t trade up for a quarterback either. Despite the failed Cam Newton experiment, Belichick will pick the best player on his board. While Micah Parsons is the top linebacker for most people, Owusu-Koramoah is close behind. His ability to play linebacker, pass rusher, and nickelback, make him the perfect versatile piece to pair with Kyle Dugger in Belichick’s defense.
For more on Owusu-Koramoah, check out our scouting report on him here.
Get to know the name Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6-2, 220, Sr.). The Notre Dame LB showed why there’s so much early excitement about him in league circles vs. Duke.
Versatile, super athletic, physical, and can cover. Has all of the requisite traits of a modern day three down LB. pic.twitter.com/stfUXx6ii0
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) September 16, 2020
Round 2, Pick 46: Landon Dickerson, iOL, Alabama
The Patriots have five offensive linemen scheduled to hit the open market in a few weeks, including starting center David Andrews. While the Patriots value Andrews, he missed four games last season after missing the entire 2019 season. Meanwhile, Dickerson had a great Senior Bowl week and will likely be a top-50 pick. Belichick has put a high value on Alabama players and is great friends with Nick Saban, so don’t be surprised if Dickerson ends up being the pick here.
Round 3, Pick 96: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
You didn’t think the Patriots were going to leave this mock draft without a quarterback, did you? The Newton experiment failed while Jarrett Stidham is going into year three and doesn’t appear to be the long-term answer. While Trask is one of the more polarizing players in the draft, he’s the kind of quarterback Belichick will take a chance on. Unless the Patriots end up trading for Jimmy Garoppolo, expect them to add a veteran like Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year and draft a quarterback on day two.
For more on Trask, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 120: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Whether the Patriots sign a wide receiver in free agency or not, they need to spend multiple picks on the position. Julian Edelman‘s future is in question, while 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry has been a bust so far in his career. The only bright spot at the position is Jakobi Meyers, who had 59 catches and 729 receiving yards last season. Over his final three years at Oklahoma State, Wallace had at least 900 yards and six touchdowns each season. The Patriots need to upgrade at wide receiver with safe floor prospects, and Wallace might be one of the safest in the draft.
For more on Wallace, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 4, Pick 138: Jaylen Twyman, DL, Penn State
Time to turn back to the defensive side of the ball. The Patriots have five defensive linemen heading towards free agency in a few weeks, including starters Deatrich Wise Jr, Lawrence Guy, and Adam Butler. Like many players, Twyman opted out of the 2020 season and declared for the draft. However, during his sophomore season, Twyman broke out, totaling 12 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks. The Patriots value results, and the last time Twyman was on the field, he showed results.
Round 4, Pick 145: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
Some people might know who Newsome is, but he’s the ideal target for the Patriots. Edelman will turn 35 years old in May, and his future is in serious doubt. Newsome has drawn a comparison to Golden Tate as a hybrid running back/wide receiver who is dangerous after the catch. Over his last two seasons at North Carolina, Newsome totaled 126 catches for 1,702 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns. Given the uncertain of Edelman’s future, don’t be surprised to see the Patriots spend a day three pick on his replacement.
For more on Newsome, check out our scouting report on him here.
I know my good friend @MattBarr_ can co-sign on this, but #UNC WR Dazz Newsome shows such explosiveness and acceleration in the open field with the ball in his hands.
-Breaks defenders cushion with speed
-Creative with ball in his hands, creates big plays
-Stacks/stems routes pic.twitter.com/24LK7KOj0i— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) February 27, 2021
Round 5, Pick 159: Shaka Toney, DE, Penn State
Over the last two drafts, the Patriots have invested several draft picks on pass rushers. Last season, they spent a third-round pick on Anfernee Jennings after spending a third-round pick on Chase Winovich in 2019. While the Patriots have expectations for both next season, veterans John Simon and Shilique Calhoun are free agents. During his time at Penn State, Toney had 28.5 tackles for a loss to go along with 20 sacks. While he won’t play a full-time role in New England, Toney could stick in the league for several years as a designated pass rusher.
Round 6, Pick 188: Cornell Powell, WR, Clemson
Three wide receivers in one draft class? That’s how big of a need wide receiver is for the Patriots. Powell had a breakout 2020 season in part due to the season-ending injury to Justyn Ross. He finished tied for first on the team with seven touchdowns and second with 882 receiving yards. Powell then had a good performance during Senior Bowl week. Much like Wallace and Newsome, Powell is another safe floor wide receiver option for the Patriots.
Round 6, Pick 197: Khalil Herbert, RB, Virginia Tech
The Patriots have two running backs scheduled to hit the open market in James White and Rex Burkhead. Furthermore, the Patriots will have to decide whether to pick up or decline Sony Michel‘s fifth-year option this offseason. Given his injury history and poor play, the Patriots will likely decline it. With that in mind, the Patriots need to add a running back on day three of the draft for depth and upside. In his one season at Virginia Tech, Herbert broke out, totaling 1,183 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry. Herbert has the upside to be a potential steal on day three.
After rushing for 1,183 yards (7.6 avg) this year for @HokiesFB it was clear what Khalil Herbert (@JuiceHerbert) could do as a runner but pass pro reps like this one during Senior Bowl week will be critically important for NFL RB coaches evaluations. #TheDraftStartsInMobile pic.twitter.com/OM6G8gglAd
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 10, 2021
Round 7, Pick 237: Lamont Wade, SAF, Penn State
While the Patriots will get back Patrick Chung after he opted out last season, they have three backup safeties scheduled to hit free agency. Even though the Patriots drafted Dugger in the second round last year and have veterans Devin McCourty and Adrian Phillips, that shouldn’t stop them from adding Wade. The Patriots value special teams more than most teams in the NFL, and Wade would earn a role as a key special teams member thanks to his high-energy play.
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