Figure it's a good time, now that attention squarely starts to focus on the NFL draft, to update what the assorted draft experts are saying about the Patriots and their 21st overall pick.
Let's start with our in-house expert, Kevin Field, who will have an updated mock next week:
21. New England Patriots: LB Devin Lloyd, Utah (March 8th)
Candidly, I am not sure Lloyd falls to the Patriots. But as a Patriots fan, his combine was perfect. He was good but not great which may make it difficult for a team to justify a top-10 selection on him. His 4.66 40 is average but he plays much faster on tape. If Lloyd isn’t there, I’d be inclined to pick CB Florida’s Kaiir Elam over Auburn CB Roger McCreary. Both can play good man coverage, but Elam has their desired size (6-1, 190) and speed (4.39) for the outside.
NFL Network's Charles Davis (April 5th)
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Patriots look to continue their tradition of leadership at the LB position -- think: Jerod Mayo and Dont'a Hightower -- with this rangy playmaker who just led Utah to its first Rose Bowl appearance.
PFF's Mike Renner (March 17th)
Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
The Pats trade for linebacker Mack Wilson may signal that they are in play for a smaller linebacker than their normal 250-pound-plus type. Lloyd can fit that bill while still being a threat as a blitzer. He racked up 31 pressures and an 88.4 pass-rushing grade last season.
Bedard's Take: I would have absolutely no issue with this, although the need has lessened for the Patriots as they have given themselves several options at linebacker:
Ja'Whaun Bentley
Mack Wilson
Cam McGrone
Raekwon McMillan
Jahlani Tavai
Terez Hall
Harvey Langhi
When they do that, they are more inclined to go with what they have, see how things play out.
ESPN's Todd McShay (April 5th)
Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
"New England could use a spark in the middle of the defense. Dean might not have the measurables that NFL teams seek -- he is 5-foot-11 with shorter arms -- but his tape might be my favorite in the entire class because of his incredible effort on every play and the way he can impact the run defense, pass defense and pass rush on any given set of downs. I think he'd be a star in coach Bill Belichick's system."
Bedard's Take: Absolutely would be in favor of this, similar to how I wanted them to take another LB that doesn't fit their prototype, Darius Leonard, in 2018. Sometimes you just need to take a playmaker and figure the rest out. Dean is pretty short, but Zach Thomas couldn't have been a star for Belichick? Of course he would have.
ESPN's Mel Kiper (March 22nd)
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Unlike last year, the Patriots have been quiet in free agency, notably losing star cornerback J.C. Jackson to a huge-money deal while not adding any surefire starters. I see holes at right tackle, off-ball linebacker, defensive end, cornerback and wide receiver. They've also lost several coaches this offseason, including offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. And yet, Bill Belichick's Patriots team won 10 games last season and still has a lot of really good players.
I projected Williams here in my debut mock in mid-January, and it is a nice fit. Williams, who tore his ACL in the national title game, had a tremendous season for the Crimson Tide, with 1,572 yards and 15 scores. He said at the combine that he's ahead of his schedule in his recovery, but it's possible he misses a chunk of the season while rehabbing. New England could afford to wait for a receiver with true No. 1 upside who could be a star for years to come. And we know Belichick has a history of taking Alabama stars.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah (March 22nd)
Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
The Patriots need to get more dynamic weapons for Mac Jones. Though he's currently recovering from a torn ACL, Williams has elite top speed and toughness.
Bedard's Take: As I discussed in the DeVante Parker breakdown, I think Parker's arrival gives the Patriots the freedom to take a guy like Williams or teammate John Metchie, who are coming off injuries but could pay off big a year from now. The Patriots have zero receivers signed beyond 2023. It's time to give Mac Jones a guy that he can count on for 5-10 years. I'd rather take a receiver a round later, but this would make sense.
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks (March 29th)
Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn
Bill Belichick has a knack for identifying and developing blue-chip cornerbacks. McCreary has a solid set of tools that should make him a strong fit in a versatile scheme that blends man and zone coverage.
Bedard's Take: If the Patriots are deadset on giving themselves options at cornerback, and they should be, then as Field point out, McCreary and Elam are likely to be available in their range and have the type of man coverage upside they usually covet (unless they are going all zone now).
ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum (March 30th)
Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Just two years ago, the Patriots had J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore in their cornerbacks room. Now they are starting Malcolm Butler and Jalen Mills on the outside. Booth has great quickness, scheme flexibility and the ability to play all over. And why Booth over LSU's Derek Stingley Jr. Stingley has played only 10 games over the past two seasons, and his production over that time left a lot to be desired. That's concerning, and I'm leaning toward Booth, because I know what I'm getting from him.
Bedard's Take: This one I'm not crazy about because Booth is more of a zone corner, but he definitely has upside.