Patriots pick-by-pick NFL Draft big board

Author Alex Barth

April 29th, 2021 5:00 AM

With the NFL Draft now less than 48 hours away, and five mock drafts behind us, it’s time to change things up. It’s tough to know what exactly to call this, whether its a pick-specific big board, an expanded mock draft, or something in between.

Basically, the concept here is to take a look at who the best fits on the board will be at all 10 of the Patriots’ scheduled picks. Of course, these picks are all subject to change with trades, but to keep things simple we’ll focus on the original selections.

The players at each pick are listed alphabetically, and are just the highlights of those who are expected to be available in that spot. Each pick also includes a ‘stretch‘ player – a player who would have to unexpectedly fall a bit to be in that spot – and a ‘reach‘ player – who might be considered ‘over-drafted’ with that selection but who the Patriots might be willing to be aggressive in taking. For some of the bunched-together picks, such as 120 and 122, consider it one big list for both spots.

This list can be used to familiarize yourself with some of the potential Patriots prospects, or even as a ‘build-your-own mock draft adventure’ by choosing one player at each spot and trying to build the best possible class.

• Round 1, Pick 15

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  • OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
  • CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
  • CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
  • OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
  • LB Micah Parsons, Penn State (Stretch)
  • LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa (Reach)

  
  If the Patriots stay at 15 and none of the top five quarterbacks fall, Jaycee Horn is the name to focus on. His game mirrors the prototypical outside Patriots cornerback, and the team has no certainty beyond this year with either of the two starters at the position.

• Round 2, Pick 46

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  • S Richie Grant, UCF
  • QB Kellen Mond, Texas A&M
  • QB Kyle Trask, Florida
  • CB Eric Stokes, Georgia
  • WR Rondale Moore, Purdue (Stretch)
  • CB Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse (Reach)

   
  Without a quarterback at pick 15, the Patriots need to be aggressive if they want to land a player at the position with any starter upside. They’ve been linked to both Kellen Mond and Kyle Trask during the pre-draft process.  

• Round 3, Pick 96

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  • WR Nico Collins, Michigan
  • QB Davis Mills, Stanford
  • LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
  • WR Amari Rodgers, Clemson
  • OT Spencer Brown, Northern Iowa (Stretch)
  • OT James Hudson, Cincinnati (Reach)

   
  Amari Rodgers would be a great long-term option as a replacement for Julian Edelman in the slot. He can play some third-down running back as well.
• Round 4, Pick 120

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  • RB Demetric Felton, UCLA
  • WR Anthony Schwartz, Auburn
  • DT Tyler Shelvin, LSU
  • CB Benjamin St-Juste, Minnesota
  • DT Jaylen Twymann, Pittsburgh (Stretch)
  • DE Elerson Smith (Reach)

   
  Nose tackles are going to fall in this draft, which helps the Patriots as they shift back to a 3-4. At 6-foot-3, 346 pounds, Tyler Shelvin is the kind of stopgap that has succeeded in the middle of Bill Belichick defenses.

• Round 4, Pick 122

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  • IOL Ben Cleveland, Georgia
  • OT Stone Forsythe, Florida
  • RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State
  • CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State
  • IOL Deonte Brown, Alabama (Stretch)
  • LB Derrick Barnes, Purdue (Reach)

   
  Sean Wade was a projected first round pick at this time last year. He had a rough 2020, but if he can get back on track he’d be a steal for the Patriots.  

• Round 4, Pick 139

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  • RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
  • OT D’Ante Smith, East Carolina
  • S Caden Sterns, Texas
  • CB Ambry Thomas, Michigan
  • WR Cornell Powell, Clemson (Stretch)
  • RB Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech (Reach)

   
  During his press availability last week, Bill Belichick mentioned that in some cases a player’s 2019 game tape is more valuable for evaluation than what the player did in 2020. Chuba Hubbard was one of the best backs in college football in 2019 before taking a step back last year, but the Patriots could see him as a steal.  
• Round 5, Pick 177

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  • K Jose Borregales, Miami
  • S Tyree Gillespie, Missouri
  • K Evan McPherson, Florida 
  • RB Jaret Patterson, Buffalo
  • WR Jaelon Darden, North Texas (Stretch)
  • OT Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska (Reach)

   
  The fifth round is generally the special teams round for the Patriots. If they’re going to draft a kicker, this could be the spot with the top two options on the board.  

• Round 6, Pick 188

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  • C Drew Dalman, Stanford
  • RB Chris Evans, Michigan
  • WR Jacob Harris, UCF
  • QB Jamie Newman, Wake Forest
  • WR Shi Smith, South Carolina (Stretch)
  • DL Chauncey Golston (Reach)

   
  Jacob Harris is a hybrid wide receiver/tight end who tested incredibly well at his pro day. He’d be an interesting pick up for the Patriots, and push N’Keal Harry for the ‘X’ receiver role.  

• Round 6, Pick 197

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  • DT Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky
  • RB Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas
  • CB Tre Brown, Oklahoma
  • IOL Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina
  • S Damar Hamlin (Stretch)
  • K Riley Patterson (Reach)

   
  At 6-foot-4, 357 pounds, Quinton Bohanna is the quintessential gap-stuffing nose tackle. He checks a lot of the Patriots’ traditional superlative boxes as well - he was a multi-year starter and team captain at Kentucky, and comes from a football family. In fact, his uncle Brian Ingram played for the Patriots in the 80’s.  
• Round 7, Pick 242

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  • LB Riley Cole, South Alabama
  • DT Ta’Quon Graham, Texas
  • DT Darius Stills, West Virginia 
  • LB Grant Stuard, Houston
  • QB Feleipe Franks, Arkansas (Stretch)
  • CB Nashon Wright, Oregon State (Reach)

   
  While he’s undersized as a 3-4 defensive tackle, Stills could have some upside as a pass-rush specialist DT.  

• Undrafted Free Agents

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  • S Tyler Coyle, Purdue
  • TE Miller Forrestall, Alabama
  • IOL Brett Heggie, Florida
  • CB Nate Hobbs, Illinois
  • QB Peyton Ramsey, Northwestern
  • S Brendon Whilte, Rutgers

   
  Even if the Patriots take a quarterback earlier in the draft, they generally like to bring an extra arm into camp. Peyton Ramsey’s football IQ would make him an intriguing option.   

For more NFL Draft coverage check out the Patriots Draft Hub 

Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Patriots.

Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.

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