With the Patriots getting a second round pick in the trade with the Arizona Cardinals, it looks like it is time to do another mock draft! Let's jump right in... *Disclaimer: I do not expect the Patriots to make all 11 picks, but since there are no trades in this version of Fanspeak's On the Clock, we will select 11 players. Pick 2:29 (60) - Will Fuller, WR, Notre Dame What a fantastic pick. Fuller is one of the best receivers in the draft. The only knock I have on him is that I wish he was a few inches taller. Fuller can be the outside receiver that the Patriots still lack. He is the fastest guy in the draft, can go deep, and create separation. Teach him to catch more with the hands than the body and you could have a great receiver. Pick 2:30 (61) - Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama The Heisman Trophy winner comes to New England with the pick that the team got back in return for Jones. Henry is a big back that can take a little time to get going, something we've grown sick of seeing with LeGarrette Blount. However, I have been down on Alabama running backs in the past and it's tough to complain about what Eddie Lacy and Mark Ingram have done in the NFL. Trent Richardson, not so much. Pick 3:29 (92) - Austin Hooper, TE, Stanford Stanford and Notre Dame pump out tight ends like nobody's business. Hooper will just be the next one to be drafted early in the NFL draft. Hooper can be the move TE that the Patriots have lacked since Hernandez...you know...killed three people. He has good hands, is a good route runner, and is very good after the catch. HEY BILL I LIKE THIS GUY DRAFT HIM. Pick 3:34 (97) - C.J. Prosise, RB, Notre Dame I believe Prosise has the chance to be the best running back in this draft. Ok, Zek Elliot is a damn good back, but Prosise is a wicked sleeper. He can catch the ball (was a wide receiver at Notre Dame) and can run between the tackles. For those who know me, what I'm about to say is pretty big. Prosise could become the new Gio Bernard for me. Not that Gio is going anywhere. He's always going to be one of my favorite players. But Prosise could join him in my heart. Pick 4:29 (128) - Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota Murray may be one of the more underrated defensive backs in this draft. He's got good speed, can play press coverage, off, and zone. If he develops correctly, he can take over opposite Malcolm Butler and push Logan Ryan to the slot. He is a physical defensive back and loves to hit the ball carrier, something we have seen out of Butler as well. Not all corners like to tackle. Bill could have two very good tacklers at corner. Murray is absolutely a guy I would like to see in New England. Pick 6:21 (197) - D.J. Reader, DT, Clemson The Patriots lost both Sealver Siliga and Akiem Hicks this offseason. While they still have Alan Branch, Malcom Brown and Dominique Easley, they could use another depth piece. Reader is described as a very athletic player who did not break out at Clemson. If Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia could get him to his peak, they could have a steal late in the draft. Pick 6:33 (209) - Fahn Cooper, T, Ole Miss The longer we go in the offseason the more I'm convinced that both Marcus Cannon and Cameron Fleming will be here next year. Fleming at least is making peanuts. Cannon needs to at least take a haircut. Anyway, with them sticking around, it becomes slightly less likely that a tackle is drafted (even though I believe they do still draft one). Cooper has good size and scouts believe that he can jump inside to guard if needed. Bill loves versatility. Pick 6:39 (215) - Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio St.
"WHAT?! Cardale Jones?!?! The Patriots don't need a quarterback!!" Or do they? Tom Brady got his extension which actually has him under contract longer than Jimmy Garoppolo. So, Garoppolo could become expendable. If he is dealt, they would need a backup quarterback. Jones showed some potential as a third stringer thrust into action when he led his team to the National Championship two years ago. He's got a great arm. Could he be legit in the NFL? Who knows, but this late in the draft, why not take a shot on him. But he'd have to change his number. Hope he's cool with that. Pick 6:46 (222) - Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB, West Virginia With Mayo retiring, the Patriots could use a little depth at linebacker. Kwiatkoski used to be a safety, so we once again have versatility. He is a solid tackler and has good coverage skills, probably developed in time at safety. A very instinctive linebacker, Kwiatkoski could be Belichick's kind of guy. Pick 7:22 (244) - Glenn Gronkowski, FB, Kansas St. I'm looking at Gronk as a flexible player more than just a fullback. The Patriots just re-signed James Develin so the fullback position is not currently hiring. But the Gronkowski family is full of athletes, so I'm sure they could find a spot for Baby Gronk. Pick 7:29 (251) - Keenan Reynolds, RB, Navy I would prefer to list Reynolds as "athlete" instead of a "running back." He was a quarterback at Navy and is enough of an athlete to take a flyer on late in the draft. Plus, with Belichick's ties to Navy, it is extremely possible that he actually is brought into New England. Click here to view the draft in its entirety. Follow @SamPericolo for the latest sports talk and news
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SAMUEL PERICOLOSam is a graduate of Assumption College where he studied History, Marketing, and Political Science and was a Co-Producer on a weekly sports talk television show. Archives
March 2018
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