Potential Patriots targets on Day 3 of the NFL Draft

Author Alex Barth

May 1st, 2021 2:57 AM

As the Patriots enter Day 3 of the draft, they have just about all of their immediate needs taken care of. They should be able to go after the best player available, and take some swings on talent with their five remaining scheduled selections. Their current picks – pending any trades – are 120th, 177th, 188th, 197th, and 242nd overall. 

Because this draft has been very off balance position-by-position so far, there will be a surprising amount of talent on the board at a few key spots once the fourth round begins. Some of the stronger spots include tackle, safety, and running back, while runs at cornerback, linebacker, and wide receiver make those groups slightly harder to predict.

Here’s a look at the landscape of some key positions for the Patriots, with available players who project as potential draft picks highlighted. The labels after each name indicate where that player is expected to go on Day 3, with ‘early’ meaning rounds 4-5, ‘middle’ rounds 5-6, and ‘late’ rounds 6-7.

• Nose Tackle

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  • Tyler Shelvin, LSU (Early)
  • Khyiris Tonga, BYU (Middle)
  • Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky (Late)
  • Naquan Jones, Michigan State (Late)

  
  Like at linebacker, the Patriots added one prototype at the position, but could still use another. Christian Barmore gives them an immediate fill as a pass rush defensive tackle, but they could still use some depth at nose tackle, a position crucial to running a 3-4.

• Inside Linebacker

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  • Jabril Cox, LSU (Early)
  • Dylan Moses, Alabama (Early)
  • Derrick Barnes, Purdue (Middle)
  • Tony Fields, West Virginia (Late)

  
  Ronnie Perkins gives the Patriots depth at outside linebacker, but the team could look to add another body in the middle, especially with Ja’Whaun Bentley in a contract year. Dylan Moses checks a lot of boxes for them - could Bill Belichick triple up on Alabama players?

• Cornerback

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  • Shaun Wade, Ohio State (Early)
  • Zech McPherson, Texas Tech (Middle)
  • Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas (Middle)
  • Tre Brown, Oklahoma (Middle)
  • Tay Gowan, UCF (Middle)
  • Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon (Late)
  • Nate Hobbs, Illinois (Late)

  
  Shaun Wade would be an interesting high-upside pickup - he was a projected first round pick this time last year but had a rough 2020. Also, don’t rule out them taking a player who projects as a special teams contributor late, like they’ve done in the past with Keion Crossen and Ken Webster. Nate Hobbs could be a fit if they go that route again.
  
  Starting cornerback may not be a need until 2022, but with Jason McCourty a free agent the team still needs a third outside corner to back up Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. A run on corners late on Day 2 didn’t help them out, and the board looks relatively thin to start the fourth round.
• Safety

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  • Jamar Johnson, Indiana (Early)
  • Tyree Gillespie, Missouri (Early)
  • Caden Sterns, Texas (Middle)
  • Damar Hamlin, Pittsburgh (Middle)
  • James Wiggins, Cincinnati (Middle)
  • Richard LeCounte III, Georgia (Late)
  • JaCoby Stevens, LSU (Late)

  
  Unlike the cornerback position, the safety board is shaping up nicely for the Patriots on Day 3. Last year, the team was forced to use a rotation of cornerbacks to man the back end opposite Devin McCourty, but getting a true free safety to help over the top would be a much-welcomed boost. They’ll have options throughout the day, although Tyree Gillespie and Caden Sterns are worth keeping an eye on due to what they can bring on special teams as well as defense.

• Kicker

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  • Evan McPherson, Florida (Middle)
  • Jose Borregales, Miami (Late)
  • Riley Patterson, Memphis (Late)

  
  Will Bill Belichick dip into the special teams player pool on Day 3? The Patriots still need a long-term plan to replace Nick Folk. They reportedly met with Evan McPherson - the consensus top kicker in the draft - multiple times during the pre-draft process.

• Tackle

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  • Stone Forsythe, Florida (Early)
  • James Hudson, Cincinnati (Early)
  • Brenden Jaimes, Nebraska (Middle)
  • D’Ante Smith, East Carolina (Middle)
  • Alaric Jackson, Iowa (Late)
  • Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin (Late)

  
  Many expected the Patriots could go after a tackle early, with both current starters on one-year contracts. That hasn’t happened, but given the team’s history of developing offensive lineman it doesn’t mean they can’t get a starting-caliber player. Stone Forsythe and James Hudson are two strong developmental prospects who fit the team’s typical mold at the position who could be on the board for pick 120.
• Interior Offensive Line

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  • Deonte Brown, Alabama (Early)
  • Trey Smith, Tennessee (Early)
  • Michael Menet, Penn State (Middle)
  • Drew Dalman, Stanford (Late)
  • Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina (Late)

  
  Depth at guard is still a need for the Patriots, and backup center will be a need starting next year with Ted Karras on a one-year contract. Again, the team is excellent at developing even the most raw players along the offensive line, so they can wait and still end up making a quality pick.

• Running Back

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  • Michael Carter, UNC (Early)
  • Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (Early)
  • Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State (Early)
  • Demetric Felton, UCLA (Early)
  • Khalil Herbert, Virginia Tech (Middle)
  • Jaret Patterson, Buffalo (Middle)
  • Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas (Late)

  
  The Patriots have been checking in on running backs throughout the offseason. Rex Burkhead is still a free agent, while Sony Michel and James White are in contract years. There’s talent to be had at running back, don’t be shocked if Bill Belichick restocks his depth at some point.

• Wide Receiver

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  • Amon-Ra St. Brown, USC (Early)
  • Cornell Powell, Clemson (Early)
  • Shi Smith, South Carolina (Early)
  • Jaelon Darden, North Texas (Middle)
  • Jacob Harris, UCF (Middle)
  • Dax Milne, BYU (Late)

  
  Could the Patriots go two years without selecting a wide receiver? There’s still a few quality options on the board, but they’ll need to act fast if they want a player who can make an immediate impact. Jaelon Darden has slipped due to size concerns, but is tremendously talented and would be a great fit in the Patriots’ offensive scheme.

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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