NFL Notebook: What sort of characteristics define a quintessential Bill Belichick draft pick?

In this week’s NFL Notebook, we get one final mock draft roundup, try and create a realistic timeline for Demaryius Thomas’ return to action, and hear from NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah on some Patriots-related topics. But first, we try and find some common threads when it comes to a typical Bill Belichick draft pick.

1. If you could craft an ideal Bill Belichick draft choice, what would he look like? Based on his history, here are a five characteristics that player would likely have:

a. He’d be a defensive back: Since Belichick took over in 2000, the Patriots have used their most picks at defensive back (31), while defensive line and offensive line (29 each) round out the top three. For the record, Belichick has also drafted 22 linebackers, 16 wide receivers, 12 tight ends, 10 quarterbacks, nine running backs, three fullbacks, two kickers (one, Owen Pochman, also worked sparingly as a punter), two long snappers and one punter.

b. They’d have an excellent 3-cone time: We’ve written about this on a number of occasions — the most in-depth piece is probably here — but New England appears to put a real emphasis on short-area quickness at many positions, most notably at defensive back and wide receiver.

c. He’d be a college captain: In the last eight drafts, New England has made 70 selections, and 32 of them have been college captains. Last year, that included linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, who was the first three-time captain in the history of Purdue football, as well as Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel and Braxton Berrios. In the end, it doesn’t necessarily tilt the scales in favor of one prospect against another. But it also doesn’t hurt.

d. He wouldn’t be drafted in the fifth round: This is a stretch — the Patriots have had some excellent fifth-round picks over the years, including Matthew Slater and Bentley. But it’s worth noting Belichick trades away fifth rounders without blinking, usually when it comes to a potential deal for a veteran. The 2020 draft will mark the ninth consecutive year New England has dealt its fifth-round pick. For more on this phenomenon, check out this excellent explainer from Dave Archibald.

e. He has played in the SEC ... or Big 10: Since 2000, four of the seven schools he’s drafted from the most are SEC schools — Florida (nine), Georgia (seven), LSU and Arkansas (five each). That’s in addition to Illinois (five), Notre Dame (five) and Miami (five). For the record, he’s drafted four players each from Alabama, Rutgers, Nebraska and Michigan as well.

2. We’ve always relied on the wisdom of Daniel Jeremiah, all the way back when he was a scout with the Ravens, Browns and Eagles. Now, with Mike Mayock’s move to the Oakland front office, he has ascended to become the lead draft analyst for NFL Network. On a conference call this week, he touched on a few Patriots’ topics — namely which quarterback prospect might be the most realistic fit for New England.

“(Daniel) Jones to me, I don't think he'll be there. (Ryan) Finley is somebody that -- I was at his pro day, and Nick Caserio was there taking a look at him. He operates the way they like to operate. He's smart. He's efficient. He gets the ball out of his hand quick. I think he fits offensively what Josh McDaniels wants to do and likes to do. I think he'd be a great fit there. (Jarrett) Stidham is one of the true wild cards because he spins it as well or better than anybody in this entire draft class. In shorts, he'd be a top-five pick. Unfortunately it hasn't clicked on the field like you'd want to see at Auburn. Some of that is the lack of protection. Some of it is an offensive system that's not great for him. But just throwing the football, he's a great athlete. I think it's going to take a little bit of time to develop him, but I could make a case he makes a lot of sense for the Patriots because they've got a little bit of time, no pun intended, with Tom there. He's not going anywhere right now. That would give you a chance to really develop a guy like with a potentially huge upside. Really as much upside as any quarterback in the draft class. Stidham is very talented. So that might be a risk worth taking.”

Jeremiah was also asked if the presence of Belichick and Tom Brady allows them to take some chances in the draft.

“Well, I mean, it's always a nice fallback. I think more than anything else, they just know what works with them,” he said. “When you have the continuity that they have and the elite people in those roles, in those two roles as head coach and quarterback, they know they have a real good feel for where their team is and what they need and what they would do with guys if they were to bring them in. There's zero guesswork in how guys would fit and function in what they do. That's huge. I think with them, looking at them this year, I think getting some more size at the receiver position makes sense. Obviously the tight end position, trying to address that, bring in Austin Seferian-Jenkins, I think that frees them up. If they want to look at some tight ends that not necessarily are the in-line guy, they can find more of that move tight end. Irv Smith is one that comes to mind as somebody that would be a complement to Austin Seferian-Jenkins and have your in-line guy to go along with your move guy.”