2018 Patriots 7 Round Mock Draft & Players to Watch

With the 2018 NFL Draft around the corner, it’s time to take a look at some of the names the New England Patriots have brought in, and who they might target. In this mock draft, we’ll assume no trades and we’ll lay out a few potential picks per selection.

The New England Patriots have quite a few needs on a roster that is aging, but still filled with talent. Perhaps the biggest need for the team is a pass rush, and lucky for them, this draft is full of versatile DEs and OLBs. Next, the team’s going to have to find a replacement for Tom Brady at QB. A replacement for Nate Soldier would be intriguing, too, but don’t forget about Anthony Garcia, an OT drafted last season.  Gronk is back, but we don’t know how many more seasons he’ll realistically play. Thus, finding another Tight End could be valuable for the Patriots. RB, WR, and CB are also areas the team could improve, but they’re definitely secondary to the aforementioned.

And with that, the Patriots are on the clock.

Round 1, Pick 23 (23rd overall)

PROJECTION: Rashaan Evans (OLB – Alabama)

Rashaan Evans is a steal at #23 overall. The 6’3″ senior linebacker offers impressive versatility. On a stacked Crimson Tide defense, the 235 pound Evans was tied for the team lead in tackles (74). Even better, he led the entire championship squad with 13 tackles for loss, a trait the Patriots desperately need. Evans is impressive on the outside, but he’s also strong enough to be moved inside in a 3-4 set if asked.

Think of Evans as a more athletic Dont’a Hightower. Yeah. Don’t take it from me, either. Evans apparently told reporters that he models his game after the former Alabama backer and current Pat’s captain. What’s more, the Patriots have hosted Evans for a private, pre-draft workout.

Lamar Jackson (QB – Louisville)

This name is getting all of the pre-draft speculation, but I believe it’s a bit of a smoke-screen. There’s a good chance that Lamar Jackson doesn’t even make it past the Chargers at #17, let alone fall to the Patriots at #23. Ultimately, I believe the Patriots will select another QB later in the draft.

Jackson offers impressive upside though. He’s got a stronger arm than Josh Allen, and he’s more accurate than Josh Rosen. Those two should go in the top 5 picks, so why isn’t Jackson ahead of them? Footwork. Jackson’s not the prototypical QB and his footwork needs help. Good thing for him, Tom Brady would be the perfect coach for the next few seasons. The talent is there and he’d be a prime candidate to take the throne in Foxborough after Brady hangs ’em up.

Josh Rosen (QB – UCLA)

If Rosen falls down to #23, it’d be Aaron Rodgers-like. In other words, it’s not likely to happen again. That said, stranger things have occurred. There are a few scouts who believe Rosen doesn’t fit the leadership mold. Some say his teammates dislike him and his “controversial” comments have likely scared some of the teams looking to draft their future leader. He’s been labeled as a bit of a loner and he’s not one to “hang out” with his teammates, but hey, not everyone likes attending those insane parties. Should you knock him for that?

That said, his talent is indisputably sky-high. If he somehow falls this far, the Pats would be nuts to pass him up. Count me all in for that scenario, which would surely destroy this mock draft, but pretty much cement the Patriots as an elite team over the next decade (or more). Rosen could certainly learn some leadership traits while waiting in the wings under Brady.

Calvin Ridley (WR – Alabama)

Boy, Alabama’s loaded with talent. Once upon a time, Ridley was rumored to go in the top 10 of the draft. He’s received comparisons to Marvin Harrison and he flashes impressive breakaway speed. The Bama receiver ran an impressive 4.43 40-Yard Dash and showed impressive hands throughout his time in college. That said, his route-running is arguably his best skill. Ridley is the type of outside threat that fans in New England have salivated over, but haven’t seen since Randy Moss. He’s not that good, but unlike many of the outside receivers the Patriots have rostered, he’s good enough, and smart enough, to stick.

While Ridley is a nice fit, I don’t see him passing the Cardinals at #15, the Ravens at #16 or the Cowboys at #19. If he somehow falls to #23, New England will be sure to take a look. They did host him in a private workout earlier this month.

Leighton Vander-Esch (OLB – Boise State)

The linebacker out of Boise State is polarizing for sure. On one hand, he’s one of the best sideline to sideline and gap-filling linebackers in the draft. He’s got elite acceleration and deceleration and he’s super savvy when it comes to football IQ. His eyes follow the QB and he’s got great instincts in pass defense, in addition to his ability to close on the run. On the other hand, he’s got only 1 full season of experience and he only played 8-man football in high school. He’s had a history of injuries and there are rumors that some teams have actually disqualified him from their boards entirely.

Assuming he’s healthy, he’s a rare find at the back end of the first night. Last season, the Mountain West Defensive player of the Year tallied 141 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 passes broken up and 4 forced fumbles. There are certainly questions, but the 6’4″ athletic freak certainly has caught the eye of the Patriots. While I don’t think he’s going at #23, I do believe he’ll be available at #31.

Other names to watch here:

Kolton Miller (OT – UCLA)
Mike McGlinchey (OT – Notre Dame)
Mike Hughes (CB – UCF)
Minkah Fitzpatrick (CB – Alabama)
DJ Moore (WR – Maryland)

Round 1, Pick 31 (31st overall)

PROJECTION: Leighton Vander-Esch (OLB – Boise State)

See above. I think the injury concerns are enough to drop the darling of the combine to the Patriots at #31. It’s essentially a gift, assuming he’s got a clean bill of health.

Kolton Miller (OT – UCLA)

The departure of Nate Solder leaves a gap to fill on the left side of the O-Line. Miller is arguably the best tackle in the draft (Mike McGlinchey is the other). Miller was the LT for Josh Rosen at UCLA and was a primary reason Rosen had time to throw in the pocket. The 6’9″ Tackle is extremely athletic, too. At the NFL Combine, he recorded the longest broad jump at 10’1″ for a lineman in this class, and the longest recorded since 2003. He also ran the 40 in 4.91 seconds.

The Patriots have met with Kolton Miller, both at the NFL combine and during a privately hosted workout in Foxborough. While he’d be a very nice piece, I think the Patriots will look to fill the O-Line with Marcus Cannon moving back to his collegiate position at LT and LaAdrian Waddle filling the role at RT. The Patriots could definitely add to their depth at these positions, but later in the draft.

Christian Kirk (WR – Texas A&M)

Danny Amendola left. Brandin Cooks was traded. WR must be a major need, right? Probably not. The Patriots will get both Julian Edelman and Malcolm Mitchell back. They’ve signed Jordan Matthews. Kenny Britt was extended. They’ve still got Chris Hogan and Philip Dorsett, too. Still, there needs to be an influx of youth at the position if they want to keep it fresh.

Kirk fits the Patriots mold well. He’s a strong receiver who works really well out of the slot. Though he’s not known for his elusiveness or his ability to stretch the field, he did run a 4.47 at the combine. He’s not exactly slow. Kirk has excellent footwork and he’s a great route-runner. At Texas A&M, he quickly emerged as the security blanket over the middle, underneath the coverage. I think Kirk would be a very nice addition should the Patriots look to add youth to their receiving corps. He’s already been invited on a private workout.

Mike Gesicki (TE – Penn State)

Gesicki fits the body mold of what Belichick looks for in the draft. At 6’5″ and 250+ lbs, he’s extremely athletic. Gesicki chose Penn State as a top-15 TE prospect out of high school. The All American athlete was the NJ Player of the Year in Basketball (school’s all time scorer), and a 4 year letter winner in volleyball, too. In other words, he’s got size and speed (4.54 on the 40). He’s also got stellar hands and hasn’t registered a drop in 2 seasons. He’s possibly the best TE in the draft, and easily the best receiving TE.

So why isn’t he going at or before #31? Blocking. He’s just…. not good. While that doesn’t mean everything, Belichick tends to value blocking more than other coaches. Moreover, Gesicki hasn’t visited New England yet. The Pats did attend the Penn State Pro-Day, but I think Bill is targeting another TE in later round. Besides, Gesicki could be around as late as round 4 due to his inability to block. He’s a wild card for sure.

Justin Reid (S – Stanford)

Reid is quite possibly the best Safety in the draft. He’s drawn comparisons to Michael Griffin and his brother Eric Reid, a perennial Pro-Bowler.  The younger Reid is a prototypical saftey in 2018. He’s got wheels (4.4 time in the 40 yard) and he’s got perfect size (6′ and 205). He’s got the ability to hawk the ball and roll over in coverage. Reid is known as one of the smartest players in the draft, and not just because he went to Harvard-West (see: Jordan Richards).

He’s likely a starter from day-1 and that’s why I don’t believe he’ll be around. Even if he is around, the Patriots’ Safety unit is arguably the best part of the defense currently. With (D) McCourty, Harmon, and Chung, the squad is pretty solid. Though Reid can certainly help, there are far more pressing issues to address.

Mike Hughes (CB – UCF)

Hughes is an intriguing prospect. However, he’s much more of a project than a sure thing. Like the departing CB, Malcolm Butler, Hughes is chippy off the line. He’s not afraid of physicality and he’s the type of cornerback that will continually nag an opposing receiver. That’s a good thing because he’s definitely undersized (5’10” and 189) as an outside corner. He ran a 4.54 time in the 40 which is good, but not great either. He does have elite upside as a returner.

Ultimately, Hughes provides big upside, but at #31, I don’t see the Patriots reaching for a project. Hughes has only started for 1 season, so he’s definitely in need of more experience and with the addition of Jason McCourty, I don’t see the hole at CB to be gaping. Remember Cyrus Jones? Yes, I know he’s coming off of a piss-poor rookie season and a torn-ACL in his sophomore year, but he does have elite talent still. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends the season as the #2 for the Patriots at CB.

Round 2, Pick 11 (43rd overall)

PROJECTION: Kyle Lauletta (QB – Richmond)

Fitting that the Patriots would basically swap “heir-apparent” QB’s in what essentially amounts to a Jimmy Garoppolo for Kyle Lauletta trade. What’s interesting is that the two players are actually really similar. Like Jimmy G (and I might add, Brady, too), Lauletta’s major issue is “arm strength” at the NFL level. He’s been labled as a “game manager” who has great accuracy and good footwork. The ball comes out of Lauletta’s hands quickly and he moves around the pocket with great footwork. He’s not terribly slow either (40 time: 4.81) but he’s no scrambler.

One major plus: he seems to throw to spots on the field rather than to receivers. It might sound like a small distinction, but it’s the thing that Tom Brady does best. Like the Gretzky quote “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.” Lauletta leads receivers with ease. With Brady playing for another couple of years (I HOPE), Lauletta should have ample time to work with Tom to fix his mechanics and improve his arm strength.

Lauletta has worked out privately for New England and his connections with Belichick are quite intriguing. Kyle’s father Joe played at QB at Navy. We all know that Navy holds a sacred spot in Bill’s heart, as his father Steve was an assistant coach there from 1956-1989. Lauletta is also a lacrosse fanatic, a sport Belichick himself played while in college.

Lorenzo Carter (OLB – Georgia)

Lorenzo Carter is HUGE. He’s 6’5″ and 250 and he runs a 4.5. He’s exactly the type of player the Patriots need at the 3-4 stand up OLB position. If the Patriots end up selecting a QB in the 1st round, it would mean they didn’t take Evans or Vander Esch, and if they land Carter instead, that would be quite alright.

Carter came to Georgia as a 5-star prospect but he never really lived up to the “top 5 overall” potential some expected. He’s been largely overshadowed by fellow linebacker, Roquan Smith, but that isn’t to say that he hasn’t been great. He made second-team All-SEC in his senior campaign. During the 10 games he started, he totaled 61 tackles (7.5 for a loss), forced 3 fumbles (team high) and registered 4.5 sacks as an OLB. Carter has elite-level measureables and it showed at the combine. He’s a good edge rusher and he has sideline speed, but he needs to become a better tackler in order to really reach his full potential.

He’s met with the Patriots at the combine.

Ronnie Harrison (S – Alabama)

Ronnie Harrison would make for some great drunken name confusion if the Pats drafted him. Rodney Harrison is still one of my favorites ever to don the red, white, and blue in Foxborough. That said, RONNIE is legit, too. He’s got the size and athletic traits you look for in his position. He hits hard like Rodney and he’s able to stop the run and plug holes up front.

Round 2, Pick 31 (63rd overall)

PROJECTION: Hayden Hurst (TE – South Carolina)

Gronk’s replacement. Well, eventually. Hurst is a super intriguing athlete. He underwent Tommy John surgery as an 8th grader after blowing out his arm while pitching. From there, he converted into a first-baseman and was actually drafted in the 17th round to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2012. His MiLB career didn’t last too long. After hitting just .245 in Rookie ball (GCL), he returned to football. Hurst was a walk-on in 2015 at the University of South Carolina. From there he played both as a WR and a TE. 2016 was his breakout season, though. He set school records for yards as a TE (616) and receptions (48). More impressive though? Hurst was the first sophomore in USC history to become a team captain.

As the oldest player in this year’s NFL draft (25), Hurst could end up sliding down draft boards. With other talent at the TE position (Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, and even Mike Gesicki) slated to go in rounds 2-4, Hurst could become the steal of the 2nd round for the Patriots. It’s also important to note that Belichick and the Patriots staff spent a decent amount of time with the former Gamecock at his Pro Day.

Finally, here’s a nice quote from Hayden’s former Tight End’s coach in South Carolina:

“It’s just me, looking at it from the perspective of an outsider, but Hayden is a disciplined guy. He’s a guy who thrives in a disciplined atmosphere,” Washington said. “And that’s certainly the way they do things in New England. That’s what the Patriots are all about. They love those kinds of players. SOURCE

Kyle Lauletta (QB – Richmond)

Obviously, if the Patriots have yet to draft a QB and he falls here, see above. He’d be a great pick.

Brian O’Neill (OT – Pittsburgh)

The 6’7″ tackle out of Pittsburgh ran a 4.82 time on the 40. That should tell you a lot about his lateral quickness. He’s definitely a top tier athlete. However, at times he seems to break down and lose his technique. O’Neill is a strong zone blocker but given his issues picking up single rusher coverage, he might be best suited for an inside role, despite his frame.

Dante Scharnecchia is the whisperer of technique and a season with him could do wonders for O’Neill. As noted above, I don’t expect the Patriots to fill the Solder-hole with a player from the draft, so taking a player like O’Neill might offer a ton of upside and little risk, should he be able to improve on his technique.

Connor Williams (OG – Texas)

It’s likely that he won’t be available here, as he could easily be a late first rounder, however if he does fall, Williams is certainly one to watch. Falling this far or further is possible due to the fact that his 2017 season with the Longhorns left some to be desired. Williams, normally explosive from side to side, seemed to have lost a step, but even with that he still draws comparisons to Jake Matthews. At 6’5″ and nearly 300, his agility is something to behold.

At worst, he’s a decent starting piece on an NFL offensive line. He’s also said to be a locker room leader and he’s a gym rat, posting an impressive 26 reps at the combine. Williams was invited by the Patriots to a private workout.

Round 3, Pick 31 (95th overall)

PROJECTION: Duke Ejiofor (DE – Wake Forest)

This pick is reminiscent of the Trey Flowers selection a few years back, and that worked out well. Flowers showed extreme athleticism and great technique, and Ejiofor does, too. A Nigerian immigrant, Duke has displayed insane speed on the edge, with good consistency. Last season, Ejiofor ended as a third-team All-ACC member after tallied 50 tackles (17 for loss), an impressive 10.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 pass breakups, and an INT. Ejiofor is strong off the line and he uses his hands well.

The Pats desperately need to address the pass rush and although the additions of Adrian Clayborn and Danny Shelton will help the defensive line, you can never have too many athletes at that position. In the first round, we saw the Patriots shore up their linebackers. At the end of the 3rd round, they find another nice piece to add to the front 7. Ejiofor could potentially end up as an OLB, but for now, we’ll assume he stays as a DE.

Ejiofor has met with the Patriots on two occasions. The Pats sat down with him at the NFL combine and they invited him back to Foxborough for a private workout.

Nyheim Hines (RB – NC State)

With the departure of the Patriots most dynamic pass-catching back, Dion Lewis, the team is likely to look to fill the “scat back” role through the draft. Although I do believe that Rex Burkhead will see the bulk of the workload, I think adding a quick back to the team will balance out the corps.

Nyheim Hines fits this role nicely. Standing at a generous 5’8″ tall, Hines is actually a dual-threat. He, like Lewis, flashes impressive speed (4.38 40-time) and is probably capable of being a feature back, but likely won’t due to his frame. Hines needs to be a better receiver if he wants to live up to Lewis’ tenure with the Patriots. He’s got a great ability to burst through the hole and to cut in the open field, making him an elusive RB, but his vision leaves a little more to be desired.

Sony Michel (RB – Georgia)

I highly doubt Michel will fall this far, but if he does, he makes for an interesting target, too. Michel is sort of a WYSIWYG back. He’s 5’11” tall, strong (22 reps) and fast enough (4.54) to be a starter on any NFL team. He’s got great vision and he’s able to cut in the open field. He’s definitely a north-south runner and embraces his physicality. He’s also grades out well in pass-protection. If you want to see him in action, look no further than his 4 Touchdown performance against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. Absolutely dominant. If Michel’s knee is truly not a problem, he’ll go much higher.

Michel, to me, is more similar to James White than to Dion Lewis. While I believe he would be a great addition to most NFL teams, I don’t see his role on the Patriots to be as clear cut as other backs later on in the draft. It might be “take the best available” territory though and you can do far worse than Sony. There’s definitely some interest from the Pats, too, as they’ve sat down with him during the NFL combine.

Other names to watch here:

Luke Falk (QB – Washington State)
Parry Nickerson (CB – Tulane)

Round 6, Pick 24 (198th overall)

PROJECTION: Akrum Wadley (RB – Iowa)

The Patriots, more than most teams, seem to stick to drafting prospects from familiar coaching trees. One of the coaches with the strongest ties to Bill Belichick is Kirk Ferentz, the head coach at the University of Iowa. Over the years, Bill has drafted numerous players who’ve worked under Ferentz. Heck, even his son Brian was a member of the Patriots coaching staff. Earlier this off-season, the Patriots signed Adrian Clayborn. You guessed it! An ex-Iowa DE.

Here’s to keeping that tradition rolling. Remember Nyheim Hines from above? Probably not if you’ve been skimming. Actually, if you’ve been skimming, then you probably aren’t reading this line either: Corgis are the best. Ok, right, so Nyheim Hines fit the Dion Lewis role nicely. Akrum Wadley fits that role PERFECTLY. Wadley had a killer 2016 season for the Hawkeyes and followed it up with an equally impressive 2017 year. I suggest you YouTube his highlights if you like seeing jukes, cuts, spins, and missed tackles. He’s just straight up slippery. He’s able to return kicks, catch passes out of the backfield and even pick up a few pass blocks, though it’s not his strong suit.

In the entire draft, I don’t know of one other RB that fits the Dion Lewis mold better. This dude is a carbon copy and the Patriots have met with him twice. They scheduled a meeting at his Pro Day and they brought him to Foxborough for a private workout. I’m guessing Ferentz has nothing but great things to say about Wadley, too. I expect the Patriots to draft Wadley on day 3 and I wouldn’t be shocked if they dealt both of their 6th’s for a 5th to move up and ensure they get their hands on the third-team B1G conference runner.

Round 6, Pick 36 (210th overall)

PROJECTION: Josey Jewell (ILB – Iowa)

Wait, we already filled the Iowa quota, right? Well, Josey Jewell is another guy who could fill many holes for the Patriots. Jewell was a standout at the University of Iowa as an ILB. Based on leadership, stats, and instincts, Jewell should go somewhere in rounds 3-5, but that’s not how the NFL draft operates.

He’s not the prototypical size for an ILB and he ran an poor 4.82 time for a linebacker at the NFL combine (40-yard Dash). If he can’t make it as a starting LB, he would fit decently as a special teamer.  At the very least, he’d push the rest of the linebackers to work harder. 

Other names to watch here:

Justin Jackson (RB – Northwestern)
Braxton Berrios (WR – Miami)
Alex McGough (QB -FIU)
Logan Woodside (QB – Toledo)

Round 7, Pick 1 (219th overall)

PROJECTION: Braxton Berrios (WR – Miami)

So Danny Amendola went to Miami. Berrios, a similar player, will be drafted by the Patriots out of Miami. The style of play here is similar. He’s got great toughness and tends to make the most difficult contested catches look rather easy. He can also return punts.

Sound familiar? Yeah, Berrios is almost exactly what Amendola is. Berrios, 5’9″ and 184 lbs, ran a 4.4 in the 40 yard dash during his pro day. He could actually develop into more of a Chris Hogan type/intermediate threat. He’s also quite smart. As a double major (finance and entrepreneurship), he graduated from The U with a 3.96 GPA. If Berrios is available here, I think he’s the perfect person to round out the end of the Patriots 2018 Draft.

Ito Smith (RB – Southern Miss)

The Patriots have filled their need at RB with Akrum Wadley earlier on, but it’s worth taking a flier on Ito Smith, who was a workhorse back for Southern Miss. He’s not the most explosive runner, but he’s definitely got good vision. However, his best quality (by far) are his hands. Smith caught an impressive 43 balls in 2016 for 459 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 1459 yards and 17 TDs on 265 carries. In 2017, he did more of the same. Smith ran for 1415 yards and 13 TDs on 248 carries, adding 396 yards and 2 scores through the air on 40 receptions. He utilizes his 5’9″ frame well – hiding behind blockers – until he springs loose. Smith’s running style is smooth and his technique is very efficient.

While he’s not likely to become a featured back, he’s definitely got the potential to stick around on an NFL roster due to his hands. However, he needs to work on his pass protection.

Other names to watch here:

Justin Jackson (RB – Northwestern)
Alex McGough (QB -FIU)
Logan Woodside (QB – Toledo)

TL;DR – Recap

I believe this will be a strong draft for the Patriots. This year’s class is deep and it provides a nice opportunity for an aging team to reset with some great young players, while maintaining the status quo of veteran leadership in key positions.