Being part of Bill Belichick's pre-draft process and what that could mean for this year

Phil Savage knows just how excited Bill Belichick is when it comes to this time of year. Is the coach exceptionally pumped about the idea of five picks in the top 100, as well as two picks in the first round (No. 23 and 31) and two in the second (No. 43 and 63) for the first time in his coaching career?

“I would think so,” Savage said with a laugh.

Savage goes back a long way with Belichick, to the 1990s when Savage was a scout and an assistant coach on Belichick's staff with the Browns. And few have deeper roots in college football these days than Savage: The color commentator for Alabama radio broadcasts, he also doubles as the executive director of the Senior Bowl.

So when he talks Patriots and the draft, he comes at it from a position of experience.

The biggest question for Savage this time around: Considering their pre-draft capital, will the Patriots stick? Or are they going to do some shuffling?


“I don’t think they’ll sit still,” Savage said of New England. “But if they were able to take four players with those picks in the first two rounds, they’ll be adding quality and quantity to their roster.

“Ultimately, I would think that if there was someone they’d really like, he’d take No. 23 and try and figure out a way to move up, and then take No. 31 and move down. Bill and the rest of them are too creative to stand pat.”

Regardless of how they go about the process, Savage knows the Patriots have a few different spots they’re likely to address later this month — linebacker and backup quarterback. The priorities are different, but he has some thoughts on some draftable possibilities for New England. Early on, it’s Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, projected by most to be a first-round pick.