Cornering the market in
Patriots address all needs in latest mock
In the first edition of the Herald’s Patriots mock draft, the team drafted a firstround defensive back who fits everything Bill Belichick seeks in his secondary.
It was a perfect marriage of player and system, even if Michigan’s Daxton Hill might be available later, a projection that could entice the team to trade back.
In the latest edition of the mock draft, Lady Luck does Belichick a favor. Another defensive back, a top-20 prospect falls to him at 21st overall, the first domino in a draft class that addresses every major need on the roster.
And why not? Mac Jones fell to 15th last year. In other drafts, the Patriots have found multiple top targets available at their first pick, which leads them to trade back. Why can’t fortune favor the Pats again?
Welcome to the Herald’s second seven-round Patriots mock draft.
First round
No. 21: CB Trent McDuffie, Washington
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 193 McDuffie falls into the Patriots’ lap for two predictable reasons: separate runs on quarterbacks (it happens every year no matter how poor the class is) and wide receivers. Momentum is building for up to six or seven wideouts to be drafted into the first round. So, enter McDuffie.
He’s an all-around cover artist who checks every single box, from physical traits to mental approach, tackling and system experience. He’s a three-year college starter equally capable in man and zone coverage, a player opposing quarterbacks outright avoided last season. As a bonus, McDuffie is already familiar with elements of the Patriots’ scheme, which Washington’s defensive staff installed after visiting Foxboro a few years ago.
He also doubles as a punt returner, having averaged 8.2 yards per return last year. Bottom line: McDuffie is an “instant impact player,” as new director of player personnel Matt Groh coined last week. Stash any concerns about his production or arm length. McDuffie is the right player at the right position and the right time for New England.
Second round
No. 54: WR John Metchie III, Alabama
Ht/Wt:
5-11, 187
Out of any prospect in the class, Metchie may be the player most commonly projected to the Patriots. And for good reason.
Nick Saban once called Metchie “the epitome of what you look for in a wide receiver.” He was highly productive as a two-year starter, piling up more than 2,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. He established strong chemistry with Mac Jones in 2020 and can play inside and out, a must for most Patriots receivers.
Once Metchie finishes recovering from the torn ACL he suffered last December, he profiles as an impact player early in his career. Why? Slick, nuanced route-running, elite body control and his reputed professional mindset. He screams Patriot.
Third round No. 85: OL Sean Rhyan, UCLA Ht/Wt:
6-5, 321 Rhyan successfully protected UCLA quarterbacks from the moment he stepped on campus, earning Freshman All-American and First-Team All-Pac 12 honors over his three-year career. He allowed just two sacks over more than 1,000 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. Perhaps best of all, Rhyan offers positional versatility, with some projecting him as an guard at the next level.
The Patriots can allow Rhyan to determine his best
position as a rookie, then move him into a starting role for years to come.
Fourth round
No. 127: OLB DeAngelo Malone, Western Kentucky Ht/Wt: 6-3, 243
Edge defender is a sneaky need for the Patriots, who have a hole in their front seven opposite Matt Judon. Their resolution, it seems, is to throw numbers at that starting spot, hoping one of their young pass rushers stick. Based on his production, Malone could be that player.
Malone was named MVP of the American team at the Senior Bowl, posting six tackles and a half-sack in the game. He was also highly productive in college, posting nine sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and four pass breakups last year alone.
Malone must add weight to better hold up against the run, but his natural bend off the edge and ability to play in space should appeal to the Patriots in the middle rounds.
Fifth round
No. 158: P Matt Araiza, San Diego State
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 200
A punter?! Yes. Araiza is a one of one, a game-changer who regularly flipped the field in college by bombing punts longer than 60 yards. He averaged almost 50 net yards on punts and crushed 85% of his kickoffs for touchbacks. Nicknamed “The Punt God,” Araiza could well get drafted earlier, but this would be the sweet spot for the Patriots.
Three years ago, they drafted Jake Bailey 163rd overall, and if Araiza wins a training camp battle, they could create almost $4 million in cap space by releasing Bailey, according to Over The Cap.
No. 170: OG Justin Shaffer, Georgia
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 314 Shaffer is a bruising mauler, who proved his mettle by overcoming several injuries in college to start all 15 games for the national champion Bulldogs last season. He took most of his snaps at left guard, but has played some on the right side. Shaffer reportedly held his own at the Senior Bowl, a hotbed for future Patriot prospects.
Sixth round
No. 200: CB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
Ht/Wt:
5-11, 180
Few players in this class are more experienced than Lucas, who turned 25 last month and totaled 49 starts over six seasons with the Sun Devils. He projects as a backup outside corner who could provide value on special teams. Lucas checks several Patriot boxes: he’s a former team captain who clocked an elite 3-cone time (6.78) and can cover against the boundary or over the slot.
Concerns pertain to age and his ball production, but this late in the draft, compromises must be made.
No. 210: QB E.J. Perry, Brown Ht/Wt:
6-2, 211
Like several positions on the roster, backup quarterback is a need set to surface in 2023 the Patriots will likely address sooner. Jarrett Stidham’s contract is up after this year, and 36-yearold Brian Hoyer, newly signed to a 2-year deal, can be released without much penalty next offseason.
Perry is a developmental, dual-threat prospect who led the FCS in total offense during the 2019 season and scored 30 touchdowns last year as the Ivy League’s Offensive Player of the Year. Perry’s top traits are his quickness, speed — he ran a 4.65 at the NFL Combine — and toughness. At the very least, he could help the Patriots better simulate the dual-threat passers on their schedule as a rookie on scout team.