Jones is likely to go early because of the general importance of the quarterback position, rather than his overall talent level. But he is definitely a Belichick kind of prospect at the QB position. He's a cerebral player who can pick up systems and concepts quickly, read defenses, and deliver the ball accurately. The concern is his lack of elite athleticism and arm talent limits his ceiling at the NFL level, but he arguably has the highest floor of the top prospects available. Think Alex Smith. So unless he has a special, Tom Brady level of intangibles, Jones is likely to be over-drafted, especially if he goes in the top-14 picks.

Smith has commonly been cited as the top wide receiver prospect in the draft, along with LSU's JaMarr Chase and his Alabama teammate, Jaylen Waddle (more on him below). He's relatively slight for what teams often seek in a No. 1 receiver (6-foot-1, 175 pounds), but his combination of explosiveness, hands, and route-running has drawn comparisons to Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. So if you want Belichick to grab a sure thing and not miss on a WR in the draft for once in his life, Smith could be his best choice.

Waddle is a more realistic selection for the Patriots if they decide to go the WR route in the first round. We had the Pats taking him in our first mock draft of the off-season, well before the start of free agency. He's a little undersized compared to typical high draft picks at receiver (5-foot-10), but he has elite speed and can get open early in his routes, which is something Belichick values at the position. He also has the versatility to return kicks or punts.

A cornerback, you say? The Patriots don't exactly have long-term security at outside corner, with Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson yet to sign extensions. So, with at least three top prospects coming into the league in 2021, this may be the time Belichick takes one. Things can still change before the draft, but the son of former NFL cornerback Patrick Surtain has commonly been cited as the first corner to come off the board in the 2021 draft. Surtain II may be a little too big for Belichick's liking (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), but his speed and ball skills should make him a legitimate No. 1 corner to defend big receivers.

The Patriots have drafted just one defensive tackle (Byron Cowart) in the past four years, and haven't taken one within the first two rounds since Malcolm Brown (32nd overall) in 2015. Belichick is due to take a legitimate prospect at this position. Barmore is at best a late-first-rounder and may fall to the second round, where the Pats pick 46th. He was a raw athlete entering Alabama and remains so entering the NFL, so he would benefit from a program that can afford to redshirt him and let him develop. That would be the likely plan for Barmore if Belichick takes him. Barmore's athletic traits are impressive and he has the ceiling of a No. 1 defensive tackle in any system.

It might be funny to see the Patriots take Harris just to see how triggered the Felgers of the world would get. But he would certainly be a luxury kind of pick, with the other Harris from Alabama, Damien, already in the fold and looking like a legitimate starting back for the Patriots. James White returned as the pass-catching back, and Sony Michel remains on the roster. But Najee has bell-cow potential with his power and patience on the ground and soft hands in the passing game. If the Pats want him, it would behoove them to trade into the back half of the first round. But they're probably better off addressing a different position that high.

Offensive line is arguably the position that should inspire the most confidence in Belichick at the draft. It's a little surprising that he's never drafted one out of Alabama. He'll have a few opportunities for that in 2021, with Leatherwood at the top of the list. He's earned high praise for his athleticism and acumen as a run-blocker, but he's also drawn criticism for a relative lack of a "mean streak" or physicality. That may turn Belichick off. But you should be mentally prepared for the Patriots to draft a tackle, considering their two projected starters (Isaiah Wynn and Trent Brown) aren't signed beyond 2021.

Since the Patriots have locked in starting center David Andrews with a four-year extension, and also re-signed Ted Karras, the chances of them drafting a center in 2021 have become way less likely. But it's an uncommonly strong center class, so Belichick may want to triple-dip. Dickerson is big and physical, is regarded as a good teammate, and is better known for his pass protection - basically a higher-ceiling version of Karras. His injury history may drop him in the draft, but could present him as a good value to the Patriots.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 364 pounds, Brown is built more like a nose tackle than an offensive lineman. But he played guard at Alabama, and projects to be a massive one at the NFL level. Teams may be scared off by his weight and relative lack of agility or stamina, making him a bit of a project pick for rounds 3-4. Belichick may see enough to work with here, and Brown wouldn't have to play right away like Mike Onwenu did in 2020.

Moses' calling card is his versatility as a middle linebacker, with the ability to compete against blockers up front and cover well in the passing game. His lack of high-end production and 2019 ACL injury, which appeared to slow him in 2020, will hurt his ultimate draft stock. But he'd benefit from playing for a team that doesn't have to put him in a major role too early, and the Patriots fit that bill. Alabama ILBs clearly have a good track record at the highest level. Moses would make a fine mid-round pick for Belichick.