The Patriots have been scheduled to pick 21st overall in the round since their season ended in mid-January. Projecting that hasn’t been an issue leading up to the draft. But for Patriots fans planning their draft parties or just hoping to get to bed early, the real question is what time will the team be on the clock Thursday night?
Last year, the Indianapolis Colts made the 21st pick (DE Kwity Paye) at about 10:50 p.m. ET. That was with three draft night trades made ahead of the pick.
That’s the latest the pick has been made in the last few years. In 2020, the Philadelphia Eagles took receiver Jalen Reagor at 21 just before 10:50. Prior to that, the Green Bay Packers made safety Darnell Savage the 21st selection at 10:35. 2018 was the earliest the 21st pick has fallen in quite some time, with the Bengals taking center Billy Price at 10:25. In 2017, the Lions took Jarrad Davis at about 10:40. Going back to 2016, the Texans took wide receiver Will Fuller at 10:30.
As we can see, the pick has been getting later and later in recent years. With the trade market expected to be very active this year, that could push things back even further. Patriots fans should be ready for the pick to push 11:00 if that ends up being true.
Of course, this is all predicated on the Patriots actually making their pick at 21. If they trade back that’ll make the wait longer. Last year, the first round came to an end just after midnight.
Patriots fans looking for up-to-the-minute draft coverage during the wait can tune into 98.5 The Sports Hub, where Adam Jones and Joe Murray will be live from Kings in the Seaport following the conclusion of the Bruins game. We’ll also have coverage throughout the night right here on 985TheSportsHub.com.
More from 985TheSportsHub.com…
2022 Patriots pick-by-pick NFL Draft big board
Round 1, Pick 21
Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. (23) reacts after an interception during the second quarter at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina Saturday, November 27, 2021. (Ken Ruinard /Staff/ USA TODAY NETWORK)
–CB Andrew Booth, Clemson
–CB Kaiir Elam, Florida
–DL George Karlaftis, Purdue
–LB Nakobe Dean, Georgia
–WR Jahan Dotson, Penn State
–G Zion Johnson, Boston College
–OT Trevor Penning, Northern Iowa (Stretch)
–S Daxton Hill (Reach)It’s going to take something completely out of the box for the Patriots to have a shot at one of the top-30 graded wide receivers. Realistically, they’re looking in the front seven or the secondary.
Round 2, Pick 54:
MADISON, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 13: Marshall Lang #88 of the Northwestern Wildcats is tackled by Leo Chenal #5 of the Wisconsin Badgers after making a catch in the first half at Camp Randall Stadium on November 13, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
–LB Chad Muma, Wyoming
–LB Leo Chenal, Wisconsin
–DL Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma
–WR John Metchie, Alabama
–WR Christian Watson, North Dakota State
–OT Daniel Faalele, Minnesota
–LB Quay Walker, Georgia (Stretch)
–CB Tariq Woolen, UTSA (Reach)If you can’t tell, the linebacker class in this draft is stocked in the second round. Matt Dolloff and I discussed that more on the latest Patriots Preview podcast.
Round 3, Pick 85
COLUMBUS, OHIO – NOVEMBER 20: Nicholas Petit-Frere #78 of the Ohio State Buckeyes plays against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on November 20, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
–LB Troy Andersen, Montana State
–CB/KR Marcus Jones, Houston
–S Nick Cross, Maryland
–WR Khalil Shakir, Boise State
–OT Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State
–OG Dylan Parham, Memphis
–OL Jamaree Salyer, Georgia (Stretch)
–RB James Cook, Georgia (Reach)There’s a lot of different directions the Patriots can go with their final top-100 pick. If they end up trading back, this would be the range where they might end up with multiple picks.
Round 4, Pick 127
Nov 13, 2021; Carson, California, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack wide receiver Romeo Doubs (7) catches a pass for a touchdown against the San Diego State Aztecs during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
–CB Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama
–OL Zach Tom, Wake Forest
–WR Romeo Doubs, Nevada
–RB Brian Robinson, Alabama
–OL Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan
–P Matt Araiza, San Diego State
–CB Zyon McCollum (Stretch)
–DL Thomas Booker, Stanford (Reach)The Patriots have met with Doubs three times during the pre-draft process. If they’re going to take him, this would be the spot.
Round 5, Pick 158
EUGENE, OR – NOVEMBER 27: Verone McKinley III #23 of the Oregon Ducks stops Trevon Bradford #8 of the Oregon State Beavers on a two point conversion at Autzen Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
–S Verone McKinely, Oregon
–LB Jesse Luketa, Penn State
–DT Neil Farrell, LSU
–RB Tyler Badie, Missouri
–WR Bo Melton, Rutgers
–QB Bailey Zappe, Western Kentucky
–WR Kyle Phillips, UCLA (Stretch)
–TE Cigoziem Okonkwo, Maryland (Reach)What will the Patriots do with their lone remaining pick? This is the one they grabbed in the DeVante Parker trade.
Round 6, Pick 183
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jeremiah Moon (7) against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
–S JT Woods, Baylor
–CB Mykael Wright, Oregon
–DT Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA
–G Joshua Ezeudu, UNC
–OL Chris Paul, Tulsa
–WR Tyquan Thornton, Baylor
–DT John Ridgeway, Arkansas (Stretch)
–LB Jeremiah Moon, Florida (Reach)The first of the Patriots’ three sixth-round picks. They generally like taking offensive linemen in this range of the draft, will that trend continue?
Round 6, Picks 200 & 210
Kentucky nose guard Marquan McCall (50) reacts after a stop during a NCAA college football game in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl against Iowa, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA Today Network)
–LB Christopher Allen, Alabama
–LB Nate Landman, Colorado
–CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
–S Smoke Monday, Auburn
–DT Marquan McCall, Kentucky
–DL Christopher Hinton, Michigan
–RB Hassan Haskins, Michigan
–OL Justin Shaffer, Georgia
–OL Cade Mays, Tennessee
–OT Andrew Steuber, Michigan
–QB Kaleb Eleby, Western Michigan
–WR Jalen Nailor, Michigan State
–OL Alec Lindstrom, Boston College (Stretch)
–CB Cordale Flott, LSU (Stretch)
–RB Zonovan Knight, NC State (Reach)
–LB Aaron Hansford, Texas A&M (Reach)These two picks should have pretty similar player pools. If you’re playing along with the mock draft, take two from this section.
Round 7, Pick 245
Oct 30, 2021; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears running back Trestan Ebner (1) looks for more yards against the Texas Longhorns in the second half of an NCAA football game at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Spillman-USA TODAY Sports
–DT D.J. Davison, Arizona State
–DE Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, Notre Dame
–P Jordan Stout, Penn State
–WR Samori Toure, Nebraska
–RB Trestan Ebner, Baylor
–QB E.J. Perry, Brown
–CB Jaylen Watson, Washington State (Stretch)
–CB Dallis Flowers (Reach)Time to round out the draft. There’s a lot of potential immediate special teams contributors on this list.
UDFAs
Sep 4, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker John Petrishen (0) rushes at the line of scrimmage against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the second quarter at Heinz Field. Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
–QB/WR D’Eriq King
–RB Isaih Pacheco, Rutgers
–WR Britain Covey, Utah
–TE/FB Connor Heyward, Michigan State
–OL James Empey, BYU
–DL LaBryan Ray, Alabama
–LB/S Johnny Petrishen, Pitt
–CB Josh Thompson, Texas
–S Drew Hartlaub, Penn State
–K Nate Needham, Bowling GreenIt’s tough to predict UDFAs before the draft, but it’s a question people like to ask. Here’s a quick rundown of some players expected to be at the top of the undrafted class. If you’re still playing along with the mock draft, pick one on offense and one on defense.
NEXT: 11 under-the-radar draft prospects for the Patriots
