Scouts notice something different about Patriots’ 2021 draft class

Scouts from outside the Patriots organization noticed something that their 2021 draft picks have in common. Something that indicates a new approach.

As reported in Albert Breer’s Monday column for The MMQB, scouts from the outside looking in noticed that the Patriots’ 2021 draft picks “were all highly productive college players, and there wasn’t the kind of wild Belichick curveball those who’ve been there got used to” in recent years. Quarterback Mac Jones had one of the most productive seasons in NCAA history, for starters. Second-rounder Christian Barmore racked up eight sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles in his final season at Alabama, while earning defensive MVP honors in the Crimson Tide’s CFP national championship win over Ohio State.

Breer contrasts that with picks like Jordan Richards and Tavon Wilson, a pair of second-round picks who were barely on most draft boards and never became much more than special teamers. But it’s worth noting that Belichick has thrown his share of strikes with the curveball, too. Some top “experts” considered guard Logan Mankins a reach at the 32nd pick in the 2005 draft. He turned out as arguably a better player than everyone else taken in the first round that year, minus Aaron Rodgers and DeMarcus Ware. Same goes for tackle Sebastian Vollmer, who seemed like a curious pick at 58th in the 2009 draft, but under Belichick became a solid starting right tackle.

The problem wasn’t necessarily the selections themselves, but the lack of input that scouts had when it came time to make them. All indications are that the 2021 draft proved more collaborative. The Patriots made sure of this with their own content, like the video of Ernie Adams personally selecting wide receiver Tre Nixon. Belichick has complimented top Pats executives on multiple occasions, and credited Eliot Wolf with coordinating the team’s move up the draft board to select Barmore 38th overall.

Breer added that the main criticism of Belichick’s drafting is that he overvalues “traits” and “his own personal experiences with players and connections to their coaches.” The latter point ostensibly continued in 2021, considering he went with two Alabama kids in the first two rounds. Their Pro Day was the only one Belichick personally attended.

But the Patriots’ 2021 draft picks indicate a shift more toward established production, over the unknowns that come with players who didn’t produce (or even play) a lot in college, compared to other top prospects. And still, there seems to be a balance between production and traits. Jones and Barmore certainly appear to be strong fits for what Belichick and the Patriots want out of their respective positions.

It will take at least 2-3 years to know how the Patriots’ modified draft approach goes. But the truth is that they had a dry spell in the first two rounds of the draft from about 2014-17, and mixed results (so far) from 2018-19, and they paid the price for it by investing heavily in free agency to improve the roster. Robert Kraft said publicly that the drafting needed to be better and that he’d already seen a different approach.

We’ll see if any of the Patriots’ 2021 draft picks turn out to be legit. But what’s clear is that this class is different.

MORE: Meet the Patriots’ 2021 draft class

• First round, No. 15: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

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  Jones is now the highest draft pick Bill Belichick has ever spent on a quarterback for the Patriots, and the first since Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014 to be drafted within the first two rounds. Belichick said in his post-draft press conference Thursday night that Cam Newton is "our quarterback" and that when Jones or Jarrett Stidham are "ready to challenge and compete, then we'll see how that goes."
  
  In the wake of using the 15th pick on a quarterback, as a coach who doesn't typically play rookies right away, Belichick wants to manage expectations. But clearly, as a first-round pick, Jones will be expected to start at quarterback as soon as his second year in 2022. He represents a balance between urgency and safety, as Belichick invested strongly in the team's biggest position of need while selecting a QB who is more NFL-ready than Trey Lance or Justin Fields.
  
  Notable Quotable: "I mean, at the end of the day, you kind of want to just get the right fit and I feel like, secretly, I really wanted to go to the Patriots all along, so I'm actually really happy that it happened. But it doesn't really matter. You get picked. You got to take the opportunity and take advantage of it and learn the new system, learn the new coaches, learn the new culture, and Coach Belichick's done a great job establishing that throughout his time in New England and I just got to learn how to be a great teammate and do my job and stick to what they're telling me to do." --Mac Jones on what it was like waiting longer than expected to be drafted

• Second round, No. 38: Christian Barmore DT, Alabama

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  The Patriots overhauled their front-seven in free agency, and the makeover continued in the draft. They have three potential starters entrenched on the defensive line with Lawrence Guy, Davon Godchaux, and Henry Anderson, and Deatrich Wise Jr. is also back on a four-year deal. But Barmore adds some needed upside and long-term stability to the group.
  
  The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Barmore has the potential to play a lot as a rookie, though. His size, physicality, hand work, and quick first step allowed him to get into the backfield a lot at Alabama. He has the skill set to disrupt both the run and the pass on the interior, coming off a season where he racked up 8.5 sacks and 9.5 (!) tackles for loss in 11 games. Belichick can afford to be patient with Barmore as he leans on the veterans on the roster. But Barmore's talent, combined with Belichick's coaching, gives him unlimited potential.
  
  Notable Quotable: "Well, I’m me, Christian Barmore. I play like me, so that’s the kind of guy I am. I’m a dominant player. I’m me, you know?" --Christian Barmore on how he would describe his own game

• Third round, No. 96: Ronnie Perkins, DE, Oklahoma

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  At 6-foot-2 and 253 pounds, Perkins' best fit for the Patriots is as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 front. The Patriots list him as an "EDGE" on their official roster. Scouts have given Perkins high marks for his motor and toughness, but his lack of high-end athletic traits caused him to slip to the third round.
  
  Perkins has the upside of a long-term starter. Bill Belichick has the luxury of letting Perkins marinate during his rookie year, since the Pats have considerable depth in the front-seven after their free-agency spending and recent draft picks. Matt Judon, Chase Winovich, Josh Uche, and Kyle Van Noy can all be expected to play the majority of the snaps at OLB for the 2021 Patriots. But if Perkins' early development goes well, he could have a chance to rotate in as a situational pass-rusher in the latter half of his rookie season.
  
  Notable Quotable: "Just from watching the past Patriots defensive greats, I definitely know they will love me and the way I play. Just as a person, they’re getting a guy who loves to interact with the community, who loves to interact with the fans, so they’ll definitely see me around New England a lot. Like I said, I just can’t wait to go out there and get there and get the whole thing, like man, I’m really a Patriot now. I just can’t wait." --Ronnie Perkins on what fans should expect from him
• Fourth round, No. 120: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma

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  Much of the pre-draft conversation centered more around pass-catching running backs. But instead, the Patriots take a downhill power runner in Stevenson. He can catch it a little bit, anyway, as he made 18 catches for 211 yards in just six games for the Sooners in 2020.
  
  But at 6 feet and 230 pounds, with the strength and balance to bowl through would-be tacklers, Stevenson will make his bread in the NFL by punishing defenses physically. The Patriots haven't had a consistently dependable "closer" or big, beefy short-yardage back since LeGarrette Blount. Because Sony Michel and Damien Harris haven't filled that need consistently, Stevenson could have a chance to contribute in that role as a rookie.
  
  Notable Quotable: "I’m pretty familiar with the running backs, the history of the running backs that the Patriots had. One that comes to mind is LeGarrette Blount. I loved his game and loved how north-and-south of a runner he was. I know J.J. Taylor, Sony Michel – not personally, but I watch their game, respect their game to the fullest. So I’m just glad to be in that room with them." -- Rhamondre Stevenson on what he knows about the history of Patriots running backs

• Fifth round, No. 177: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan

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  Another hit for the godforsaken Felger and Mazz Big Board, which also hit on Barmore.
  
  McGrone is an interesting pick because he plays inside linebacker, but doesn't fit the Patriots' typical physical profile at that spot. He stands at 6-foot-1 and 234 pounds and projects more as a run-stopper than a pass-rusher or coverage linebacker, making him a hard prospect to evaluate for the long-term. If he can bring what Elandon Roberts brought from 2016-19, he'd be considered a successful pick.
  
  Notable Quotable: "I was overcome with emotion. Like I said, just all the hard work put in to this point and to finally get my name called, it just means so much. Now getting the chance to be around some of my former teammates, that’s going to mean a lot to me too. Just to see some familiar faces is a blessing. Josh hit me up just to tell me congratulations and same with Chase. Just overall a blessing." --Cameron McGrone on reuniting with Michigan teammates Chase Winovich and Josh Uche

• Sixth round, No. 188: Joshuah Bledsoe, DB, Missouri

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  Bledsoe played 43 games in four years with the Tigers and came up big in some clutch situations as a senior.
  
  His lack of impressive athletic traits caused him to slide to day 3, but Bledsoe is known as a smart and competitive player who should at least be able to make a mark on special teams. Belichick does like playmakers in the third phase of the game. We'll see if Bledsoe pans out in that department.
• Sixth round, No. 197: William Sherman, OT, Colorado

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  When it comes to an offensive lineman in the sixth round, the hope is that Sherman is closer to Michael Onwenu than Connor McDermott.
  
  The question for Sherman, who played both left tackle and right tackle at Colorado, is whether he can play tackle at the NFL level. At 6-foot-3 and 304 pounds with 33 1/2-inch arms, many teams would tell Sherman he needs to transition to guard. But the Patriots have shown a willingness to keep relatively undersized guys at tackle in the past, like Matt Light and Isaiah Wynn.
  
  But those guys were high picks. Sherman is more of a lottery ticket. We'll see if Belichick hits his Powerball numbers with an O-lineman for the second year in a row.

• Seventh round, No. 242: Tre Nixon, WR, Central Florida

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  The Patriots address the receiver position with their final selection. Is Nixon the next Julian Edelman? We'll know in about eight years. But the Pats bring in a new young wideout to compete for snaps behind Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, and Kendrick Bourne.
  
  According to a scouting report at NFL.com, Nixon has the talent to be a No. 3 receiver as an outside threat, but needs to become more consistent with his hands. But he has traits that the Patriots like in their perimeter receivers: short-area quickness, strong intermediate routes and comebacks, separation ability against press-man coverage.

MORE: Tre Nixon lands on list of favorite Patriots draft picks

Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.