We're almost there, finally.
Very soon, all the talk, all the posts, all the Tweets about the draft will be rendered 95 percent useless and a waste of time as teams go off the script to completely upend everything (and it could start with the third overall pick and the 49ers).
Well, here's my final stab at a mock draft that will be completely wrong in three hours. Included are all the Patriots' picks, including one trade-up – not in the first round, and the points from the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart:
Let's just pause here for a second and go over some of the first round.
- I really wanted to jump the Eagles and take Jaycee Horn, who is a close comp to Stephon Gilmore, but a couple of things worked against me. No. 1, Dave Gettleman has never traded down, and No. 2, the Patriots just don't have enough in trade compensation to do it, because I did not want to part with the second-round pick and I'm not parting with a '22 pick.
- This is one of the reasons I have a hard time seeing the Patriots trading up in general. They just don't have enough ammo, unless they have a deal for Gilmore or JC Jackson lined up, which I don't think they do.
- So I sat tight, hoped the QBs went, and that the Giants and Eagles would pass on a receiver. And I was ecstatic that DeVonta Smith was still there. He's the perfect complement to what the Patriots already have, and he can be a very versatile weapon. He'll give coverage for both Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.
- The chances of this working out this way are about 10 percent, but a man can dream!
- Also would have considered: Jaelan Phillips, Jamin Davis (my new Darius Leonard), Alijah Vera-Tucker, Zaven Collins, Elijah Moore and Kadarius Toney. I would be happy with any of those guys. If a tackle drops, I'd fine with that too.
- If Smith was not here, I would have tried to trade down and land one of those other players.
- Got my quarterback in Davis Mills after my guy Kellen Mond went a few picks earlier with Washington trading up. I'm fine with this as well. Mills is a good prospect to develop, plus I'm banking on Jimmy Garoppolo coming to the Patriots via trade at some point for a conditional third/fourth in '22.
- Needed to get a cornerback and while I wasn't completely thrilled with any of the options, Aaron Robinson (5-11½, 186, 4.38) was the best of the bunch in my opinion. Great workout, including 3-cone drill. Great athlete, aggressive and a willing tackler. Has inside/outside versatility.
- Also wanted a linebacker option, so I grabbed Divine Deablo (6-3, 226, 4.44), who can star on special teams while he puts on a little more weight and fights for a LB spot. Also cover for Adrian Phillips as a free agent after the season if Deablo stays as more of a box safety.
- Tommy Doyle (6-8, 320, 5.11) is mammoth and can move, and could pop at tackle down the line with development.
- Chris Evans (5-11, 211, 4.51) reminds me a lot of James White with the ball in his hand, and the Patriots need an option there.
- Joshua Kaindoh (6-5¾, 260, 4.65) is a future bet with a great step on the edge.
- Tedarrell Slaton (6-4, 330, 5.08) is a massive dude who can anchor the middle of the line going forward.