The Felger & Mazz Big Board continued on Thursday. This time the guys threw for defensive backs – both cornerbacks and safeties.
Both are sneaky positions of need for the Patriots. At cornerback, the Patriots have Christian Gonzalez returning to take over one boundary spot, and Jonathan Jones – entering a contract year – will either be on the other boundary or in the slot. A second starting boundary corner and/or a future starting slot cornerback could be needs depending on how the Patriots arrange things, and depth at both spots would be helpful.
—Everything Eliot Wolf said about the Patriots’ big three needs during his pre-draft press conference
—There’s already a favorite to win the Patriots’ starting left tackle job
—2024 NFL Draft positional preview: Special teams
At safety, the Patriots are set in the box. They just extended Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers is still under contract, and Marte Mapu is returning for his second season.
However, they don’t have a true free/deep safety. Playing one of the above players deep – like they did with Dugger last year – limits their ability to maximize their skillsets. Having a true free safety being on the back end would allow them to get the most out of Dugger and Peppers.
Did the Felger & Mazz Big Board hit any players fitting these descriptions? They did, but most of them are projected top 100 picks. Will the Patriots get aggressive in adding a defensive back this year? If so, there’s the most likely targets from the board…
CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Missouri
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 07: Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. #11 of the LSU Tigers catches a pass against defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. #2 of the Missouri Tigersin the first half at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
Rakestraw is a bit of a tweener at the cornerback position. He played mainly on the boundary at Missouri, but at 5-foot-11, 183 pounds will likely be used more in the slot in the NFL. That may not be an issue for the Patriots, especially with Jonathan Jones on an expiring contract.
However, Rakestraw is expected to be among the top cornerbacks taken in this year’s class. He’s a first-round talent, but could fall into the second round due to lack of production (just one career interceptions in college) and injury history.
S Calen Bullock, USC
Sep 2, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans safety Calen Bullock (7) against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first half at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Bullock is the kind of free safety the Patriots need. He’s been a regular producer for the last three years, beginning when he was a true freshman in 2021. Bullock has the high-end athleticism and ball skills needed to play in the deep part of the field. As he heads to the NFL the biggest thing he’ll need to work on his improving his instincts and diagnosing the plays in front of him.
Having just turned 20 in late April, Bullock’s significant experience at such a young age suggests tremendous upside. A fringe top-100 pick, he could be in play for the Patriots if they want to add a free safety and truly believe in his ceiling.
