We've had a chance to do enough research through film and league sources to have a better grasp on the top draft prospects (first three-ish rounds) to give you a list of players we feel would fit with the Patriots. It's not every player, but at least those that could impact the team at areas of need (we did not do safeties ... cue the first-round safety, like Dax Hill) this season.
For more in-depth look at the positions, make sure you check out Kevin Field's positional breakdowns — they go much deeper and give you Patriots-type picks for each round and undrafted free agency. After doing this work, I would say Field has done a great job identifying the right prospects:
A look at the top draft prospects through my Patriots-colored eyes, and even included a few *BEDARD BINKIES*
NOSE TACKLE
Has been a big need since Vince Wilfork left town. If Davon Godchaux doesn't improve, this is a big problem. Need depth anyways.
Jordan Davis, Georgia, 6-foot-6½, 341 pounds, 4.78 in the 40-yard dash, First round
Strong, immovable force who would instantly solve a lot of interior issues and create room for the linebackers, thereby making them faster and more effective. And elite prospect with a lot of upside. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Travis Jones, UConn, 6-4½, 325, 4.90, 1-2
Powerful player who changes the line of scrimmage. Will hold up well on double teams. Brings a little pass rush.
Phidarian Mathis, Alabama, 6-4, 310, 5.46, 2-3
Part of the rotation for Crimson Tide but he's strong and plays with intensity and enthusiasm; captain for Nick Saban. Poor body and a bit high cut. Has some power rush and will stack and shed blockers.
Neil Farrell Jr., LSU, 6-4, 330, 5.41, 3-4
Won't win many beauty contests but most figure he'll develop a better body with NFL nutrition — and it's a must for him to succeed. Small lower body a concern. Knows how to play, however. Has the makings of a 10-year nose tackle.
Otito Ogbonnia, UCLA, 6-3½, 323, 5.31, 4-5
Strong and powerful but raw. Holds school record in shot put. Long arms. Can be a good run stopper. *BEDARD BINKIE*
DJ Davidson, Arizona State, 6-3, 327, 5.20, 5-7
Strong, big body who takes on double teams and will pursue well down the line.
Marquan McCall, Kentucky, 6-2½, 342, 5.35, 7-PFA
Strictly a two-down run stuffer. Built like a fridge.
Jon Ford, Miami, 6-5, 333, 5.25, 7-PFA
Well put together, strong and shed blocks, but not much athletic ability outside of a box.
Big-body UDFAs
Noah Elliss, Idaho, 6-4¼, 346, 5.66 *BEDARD BINKIE*
Tyrone Truesdell, Florida, 6-2, 347, N/A
Timmy Horne, Kansas State, 6-4 ¼, 323, 5.22
Tony Fair, Auburn, 6-1 ½, 342, 5.28
If you're just looking for a nose that is tough to move and will overpower a few people without a price tag, these are your guys. Elliss has some upside.
(Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LSU Tigers Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (7) celebrates during a college football game between the LSU Tigers and the UCLA Bruins played on September 4, 2021 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA.
CORNERBACK
Patriots could use multiple cornerbacks — starters too.
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU, 6-0, 190, 4.44, 1
Lot of questions about his makeup and injuries after going from 21 pass breakups and 15 games played as a freshman, to five and 10 his final two years combined, but when he's right, there's little question he has the most talent besides Sauce Gardner. Elite man cover skills. If he falls and the Patriots have good answers to the questions about Stingley, he's a guy I would go get. Lot of questions though.
Andrew Booth, Clemson, 6-0 ¼, 194, N/A, 1
Plays CB like a LB at times but he has the skills of an elite man cover cornerback. Didn't get to show it much in Clemson scheme, but this is a player with high man upside.
Trent McDuffie, 5-11, 193, 4.44, 1
Love the compete, quickness, smarts and tackling ability. Wish he was taller and longer. Really good football player.
Kaiir Elam, Florida, 6-1 ½, 191, 4.39, 1
Gets grabby and his focus can wane, but has good size and his makeup speed is pro-level. A team that can focus him will get a very good player.
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama, 6-1, 197, 4.39, 2-3
Only one year of starting due to Alabama being Alabama and some injury issues, but he has all the pieces to be a very good NFL CB. Very high floor. Needs more reps, but should be an early starter. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Daxton Hill, Michigan, 6-0, 191, 4.40, 1-2
All-around player, tested through the roof. Can play outside CB, slot CB and FS. Next Devin McCourty. Some concern about his makeup/quiet nature.
Roger McCreary, Auburn, 5-11 ½, 190, 4.50, 2
Little small (arms are 30 inches) but he has inside/outside versatility and plays the ball well in the air. More than held own against Alabama and John Metchie. Good compete.
Kyler Gordon, Washington, 5-11 ½, 194, 4.52, 2
Good player who needs some development. Foot technique is sloppy at times, but he closes very fast on the ball.
Marcus Jones, Houston, 5-8, 174, N/A, 2-3
Has all the quickness, ability and toughness to be an elite slot corner at his size. Might only be a sub package player but can also return kicks. Just a good football player. Pound for pound one of the best in this class.
Tariq Woolen, UTSA, 6-4, 205, 4.26, 2-3
He needs a lot of work, but holy cow what a package of skills. Tall, long, fast, likes to hit ... nothing not to love about this player. Has some injury issues that bring back bad memories of Ras-I Dowling, but what an athlete. Would love to take a risk on this guy. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Martin Emerson, Miss State, 6-1 ½, 203, 4.53, 2-3
Another in the Devin McCourty mold. Polished, big hands, good against the run.
LINEBACKER
With Ja'Whaun Bentley re-signed and Mack Wilson acquired via trade (plus some nice depth pieces), not an immediate need. But could use a no-doubt impact player who can affect all three downs.
Devin Lloyd, Utah, 6-3, 236, 4.68, 1
He's a more advanced Jamie Collins with better instincts. Not much not to love. Would be a great first-round pick. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Christian Harris, Alabama, 6-0 ½, 235, 4.49, 1-2
Not a Mike linebacker but good speed and instincts. Covers very well. Hits hard.
Quay Walker, Georgia, 6-3 ½, 242, 4.52, 1-2
Looks and has everything you want in a playmaking linebacker, but his instincts are lacking on film. More of a project than I thought going in.
Chad Muma, Wyoming, 6-2 ½, 237, 4.65, 2-3
Really good, smart and instinctive player. Almost an immediate starter. Upside is iffy but pretty polished right now.
Troy Anderson, Montana State, 6-3 ½, 243, 4.42, 3-4
Love this player. Needs to refine tackling, but the traits and smarts are off the charts. Started games at QB and RB as well. Belichick would lose his mind over this guy. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Channing Tindall, Georgia, 6-2, 228, 4.50, 3-4
Holy cow this guy is a heat-seeking missile. Flies all over the field, hits very hard. Seek and destroy. Why did he never start for Bulldogs? That will have to be answered.
Darrian Beavers, Cincinnati, 6-3 ½, 243, 4.70, 3-4
Kevin Field nailed it when he compared Beavers to Kyle Van Noy. Same player. I think he is an ILB with OLB versatility.
D’Marco Jackson, Appalachian State, 6-1, 233, 4.55, 5-6
He's Elandon Roberts with more speed and would be a special teams standout to start.
Others I'm not as high on for Patriots
Nakobe Dean, Georgia, 5-11, 231, N/A, 1-2
Chose not to run the 40 twice. Smart leader who functioned in a tough defense. But is his size too small for NFL without great DL in front of him, like he had at Georgia? Flies to ball. Playmaker.
Brian Asamoah, Oklahoma, 6-0, 225, 4.64, 4-5
Tiny, looks like a safety but just flies around with bad intentions. Would be a great sub ILB but Patriots seem to prefer safeties in that spot.
Damone Clark, LSU, 6-2 ½, 239, 4.60, 3-6
Has a red flag (back) medical issue. Stiff athletic linebacker who can cover but not overly special.
Leo Chenal, Wisconsin, 6-2 ½, 249, 4.62, 3
Bulked up, strong and fast going in a straight line. Film doesn't reveal much agility or coverage. Great blitzer.
(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
David Ojabo #55 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates after recording a sack against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 13, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania.
EDGE
Patriots have Matthew Judon and youngsters Josh Uche and Ronnie Perkins in the pipeline (and perhaps Anfernee Jennings). Not much of a need but can't rule out a pick here.
David Ojabo, Michigan, 6-4, 252, 4.58, 1-2
Was headed to the top half of the first round before he ruptured his Achilles on his pro day. Special athlete and playmaker, similar to Chandler Jones. Good enough to take a risk on, especially if the Patriots trade down in the first round. *BEDARD BINKIE*
George Karlaftis, Purdue, 6-3 ½, 263, 4.77, 1
Strong and physical edge player with a nose for the ball. Doesn't have elite traits but just a good, solid 10-year pro.
Drake Jackson, USC, 6-2 ½, 273, N/A, 1-2
You want Chandler Jones, this is your guy. Tons of athletic ability — can close fast, flexible, corner. Questions about physicality.
Zach Pascal, Kentucky, 6-2 ½, 270, 2
Damn good football player is a cancer survivor and has off-the-charts intangibles. Explodes off the ball. Can play inside and outside. Patriots would know how to use him. A little stronger than Perkins when he came out. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Nik Bonitto, Oklahoma, 6-3, 248, 4.59, 2-3
Not sure how good he is against the run, but he's at least a plus designated pass rusher. Closes fast with some bend.
Boye Mafe, Minnesota, 6-3 ½, 257, 4.50, 2
Doesn't have all the elite traits, but he constantly wins on film and plays his butt off. Has nose for the ball.
Cam Thomas, SD State, 6-4, 265, N/A, 2
Good all-around player and relentless. More powerful than quick. Can slip inside in sub. Long-time starter.
Amare Barno, Virginia Tech, 6-4 ½, 246, 4.36, 3-4
Very raw but tested through the roof and looks like he gets shot out of a cannon. If you want to place a future bet on a longshot emerging as a star, it's Barno. Special skills. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Alex Wright, UAB, 6-5, 271, N/A, 3-4
Raw but talented player who can do everything from stand up to playing sub rusher. Not overly explosive.
Chris Allen, Alabama, 6-3 ½, 241, N/A, 4-5
Broke his foot in opener and missed the season, so didn't workout. Not special in any way and mostly wins by hustle, but knows how to play and in the Patriots' scheme.
(Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Quarterback Spencer Sanders #3 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs to first down against defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike #58 and the Iowa State Cylcones in the second quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on October 24, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 24-20.
DEFENSIVE ENDS
A position the Patriots are deep at and usually try to find UDFAs or underrated pros (Lawrence Guy).
Devonte Wyatt, Georgia, 6-3, 304, 4.77, 1
Some character issues that need to be fleshed out, but he's an impactful and active interior presence.
Logan Hall, Houston, 6-6, 283, 4.88, 1
Three-technique type with quickness.
Perrion Winfrey, Oklahoma, 6-3¾, 290, 5.00, 2
Not quite as explosive as the top two, but very quick off the ball. Had some commitment issues at OU but loves football. Needs good leaders around him.
DeMarvin Leal, Texas A&M, 6-4, 283, 5.00, 2
More of a 4-3 3-technique.
Eyioma Uwazurike, Iowa State, 6-6, 313, 5.32, 3-4
Will appeal to 4-3 teams but tough to pin down a position. Sort of a tweener but a nice package to work with.
Jayden Peevy, Texas A&M, 6-5½, 308, 5.30, 3-4
Tweener inside/outside type who has rare length. Blocked several kicks for Aggies. Similar to Deatrich Wise. *BEDARD BINKIE*
Isaiah Thomas, Oklahoma, 6-5, 266, 4.70, 4-5
Very intriguing. Nice quickness, sets the edge ... not good enough athlete to play edge, but if he puts 25 pounds on, you have a quicker Deatrich Wise.
