Happy Draft Day everyone!
The day you never really think is going to get here and then speeds by in three days — then what are we going to talk about in sports? — is finally here. Everyone ready? Good.
Let's get started with our final first-round mock, then post our Patriots full seven-round mock, and then get into news and notes that we're hearing on a variety of topics, including the likelihood of a trade up, the quarterbacks the Patriots are more willing to take, and other odds and ends.
FINAL FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT
1. Bengals: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
No-brainer. They should not trade the pick.
2. Redskins: Chase Young, Edge, Ohio State
Best prospect in this draft.
3. Lions: Jeffrey Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Matt Patricia has to get a shutdown CB.
4. Giants: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa
I prefer Andrew Thomas to all the tackles but I can see Wirfs being a Dave Gettleman guy.
5. Dolphins: Tua Tagovailoa, QB Alabama
After an all-time smokescreen, Miami finally rectifies the Drew Brees mistake.
6. Chargers: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Don't overthink it. Herbert isn't perfect, but the Chargers need someone to develop.
7. Panthers: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Could be the best overall player in this draft class and addresses a big need with Gerald McCoy, Vernon Butler and Mario Addison out the door in free agency.
8. Cardinals: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia
I'm shocked more people don't have Thomas as the best OT in this class.
9. Jaguars: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jeudy is the best receiver in this draft without question and Jacksonville needs to give Gardner Minshew something to work with.
10. Browns: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson
Cleveland has other needs, but it can't pass on this type of rare talent.
11. Jets: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
If New York thinks Breshaud Perriman is going to solve their receiver issues with Robby Anderson gone, good luck to Jets fans.
12. Raiders: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida
Vegas needs as many cover players as it can get to compete against the Chiefs.
13. 49ers: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU
Slides right into Emmanuel Sanders' spot and is the same type of inside receiver.
14. Buccaneers: Jedrick Wills, OT Alabama
When you sign a 43-year-old QB, you better throw every asset you can into protecting him.
15. Broncos: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville
Garrett Bolles is awful at left tackle.
16. Falcons: Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina
Too good to pass up on and a need.
17. Cowboys: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
Randall Cobb out, Ruggs in.
18. Dolphins: Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State
First big shock of the draft shouldn't be. Scouts love this player.
19. Raiders: K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU
If Vegas doesn't have its sights on Yannick Ngakoue, Chaisson is the closest thing to an impact edge player.
20. Jaguars: Austin Jackson, OT, USC
Has a lot of upside after a season in which he dealt with after-effects of donating his bone marrow to his sister.
21. Eagles: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona State
Philly gets its next receiver to complain about all the time.
22. Vikings: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
There's been a major exodus at cornerback this offseason.
23. Patriots: Kenneth Murray, ILB, Oklahoma
The more I've thought about it, the more they need a linebacker who is versatile, smart and a leader to replace Jamie Collins. Murray has it all.
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- I think the Patriots are going to trade out of 23, but I hate predicting trades and having a player like Joe Thuney as a chip further complicates things.
- If they do stay and no one wants 23, I think Kenneth Murray is too good to pass up at a big position of need. He's the type of player Belichick would love to coach. Yes, I would have considered Cesar Ruiz, Yetur Gross-Matos, A.J. Espenesa, Jalen Reagor and Xavier McKinney there.
- Let's just say I've heard Deion Branch and Van Jefferson's name mentioned more in the same breath among my sources than anything else. That might be early for him, but I wanted him for them.
- Leki Fotu is a perfect run player for them. Big and immovable.
- Not exactly the impact TE everyone was looking for, but he has the type of intangibles the Patriots love.
- With no good centers left, I went with the best available lineman in Bartch. If he hits at tackle, then Isaiah Wynn could be moved to left guard. Or Bartch could play guard or right tackle.
- Had to take my RB sleeper, Darrynton Evans, who is really more of a speed offensive player with kick return ability.
- Tanner Muse could be another Nate Ebner with a lot more upside on defense. Great in agility drills.
- Tyler Bass had the best leg at the combine. Not a perfect prospect, but pretty good.
- This late in the draft, I'm just looking for good players with upside, not position specifics, so went with another run plugged, an intriguing QB prospect, and a really good all-around back that would be a Branden Bolden replacement in a year.
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- Most of my sources expect the Patriots to trade out of 23 tonight. Too much of a gap until 87. Way too many good players.
- The Patriots do like Tua Tagovailoa, but there's little thought of being able to get him. There's not a huge groundswell to trade up. Maybe if he drops to the mid-teens but most are expecting him to go in the top 6.
- WR Denzel Mims doesn't appear to be a Patriots-type player even though he tested great. Justin Jefferson and Van Jefferson are their types of guys.
- Don't think the Patriots love this tight end class but UCLA's Devin Asiasi could be a mid-round target. Adam Troutman has a lot of what they look for, but how high would they pick him? Cole Kmet is OK. Chase Claypool is an x-factor because I think they have slotted as a TE but a position switch would knock down how high they would select him.
- The Patriots were still talking to the Bucs about O.J. Howard the last I heard.
- Not sure the Patriots see LB as a big need, unlike many of us.
- Offensive line could definitely be a target in the first round — especially center — or with their first pick should they drop. Cesar Ruiz the 20-year-old Michigan center has to be very, very tempting. No one knows the future with David Andrews.
- Patriots are fielding calls on Joe Thuney but I hear they're driving a hard deal because they could very well hold onto him, and trade him closer to the season after injuries hit a la Logan Mankins. Would be tough on the cap, however. Trading Thuney would clear up $15 million in a snap.
- Just heard more ... it's pretty quiet right now on the Thuney front because not many teams want to give up compensation and sign a big contract with the cap likely to be flat or worse in light of the pandemic.
- I don't get the impression that the Patriots like Jordan Love or Jalen Hurts all that much. The QBs I keep hearing on them are Jake Luton from Oregon State, and an athlete later on, Virginia's Bruce Perkins. He could be New England's version of Taysom Hill with way higher athletic upside. Nate Stanley from Iowa also possible. Big, strong with a rocket arm.
- I love Jake Fromm for the Patriots in about the third round and I think they love a lot of his intangibles, but his hand size (less than 9 inches) could be a problem in their evaluations due to playing in the wind, rain and cold at Foxborough late in the season. Might not completely eliminate him, however.
- Glad to see the Patriots add WR Marqise Lee on a one-year deal. He's been hurt for two years but a good player when healthy. I had him on my offseason WRs list. He's like Cam Meredith. We'll see.
