Fixing The New England Patriots Stage Two: Aggressive Drafting
Updated: Mar 4
In stage one of this two-part series, I described a scenario in which the New England Patriots resigned four of their own players and also brought in five impact free agents. I stressed in that piece that they couldn't rebuild the whole team with free agency, but it is essential to address as many needs as possible so they wouldn't be forced to reach come draft time.
Every position of need was addressed in that piece besides the quarterback position, which the Patriots are well-equipped to acquire in this draft. However, I have taken a slightly different route to get there. This mock draft features two key trades and a large influx of young potential on offense.
The First Trade Sliding Back With LA Chargers
This mock is a mix of the best-case situations with many realistic takes. The Patriots would send the third overall pick and pick 104 for the fifth pick, pick 37, and pick 69.
The Chargers parting with their second and third-round picks makes sense for them because they can add Marvin Harrison Jr at three overall, giving them the flexibility to cut Mike WIlliams and save 20 million in cap space and pairing a generational wide receiver with a top QB in Herbert.
This makes a lot of sense for the Patriots because the Chargers and Cardinals are taking wide receivers, leaving the player New England wanted at five while adding two more top-100 picks.
Round 1 Pick 5: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
Daniels is my QB 1 and second overall player on my big board behind Marvin Harrison Jr. He has elite athleticism and a cannon for an arm. Daniels exhibits the ability to make plays off the platform and create after the play structure breaks down, which are things Mac Jones and Baily Zappe can't accomplish.
He played in the SEC against some of the best defenders in the country and made them all look foolish. He and LSU weren't in the championship mix because his defense was a complete liability.
"In evaluating Daniels, what impresses is his game management and decision-making. He has the acumen of a seasoned pro, balancing assertiveness with judicious caution. His ability to consistently generate big plays, as evidenced by his multiple four-touchdown games and frequent 400-yard total offense outings, marks him as a playmaker who can change the complexion of a game." NFLDraftBuzz.com
This kid is special; my pro comp for him is Mike Vick. He is the juice, and the Patriots need juice badly. Of course, he could go two overall to the Commanders, but like I said, this is a best-case scenario type of mock draft.
New England Trades Back Into The First Round
The Eagles are a perfect candidate to trade out of the first round. They do a great job in the middle of the draft, and their needs don't align with what is available at the 22nd pick. So the Patriots would send picks 37 and 69 that they acquired from trading back with the Chargers for pick 22 and pick 160.
If the Patriots are going to take Daniels with their first pick, they will need to build appropriately around him to be successful. The sure-fire prospects have been taken before pick 34, so moving up to take one of them ensures a young weapon to pair with Daniels.
Round 1 Pick 22: WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
I debated reuniting Brian Thomas Jr and Daniels from their LSU days. Still, after seeing how Thomas only had one breakout season, and Franklin improved every year from a freshman, I decided the player with a longer track record of success would be a better fit.
"Consistently increased his production throughout his college career - finishing with a record-setting 2023 where he put up a huge 1383 yards and 14 TDs. He boasts elite speed, running the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.35 seconds, consistently leaving defenders behind as a premier deep threat. Franklin shows precision in his route running, smoothly transitioning from vertical stems to breaks, which puts constant pressure on defenders." NFLDraftBuzz.com
Franklin has insane size and speed, but unlike Tyquan Thorton, he is a silky, smooth route runner with a developed route tree. He can get open all over the field and create explosive plays. Troy isn't just a deep threat; he can dominate man coverage and get open in the middle of the field.
Franklin is a chain mover and a big play threat, and he can also create after the catch. He is everything that Tyquan Thorton hasn't been but with the same level of speed. If you have read my free agency piece, adding Troy to Calvin Ridley and Demario Douglas gives this team real depth at the position.
Round 2 Pick 34: Tackle Jordan Morgan, Arizona
Even with tagging Onwenu and signing Jonah Williams, they still need help at the offensive line because Onwenu is at his best playing right guard rather than tackle. Taking a player like Morgan gives them the flexibility to kick him back there and completely retool this weakness into a strength.
Morgan is 6'5, 325 pounds, and is primarily a pass blocker, which is evident since after his first year, he only gave up three sacks in almost 1300 snaps at left tackle. While his run blocking is decent, he does need to refine his game in that area to be an every-down player.
"Explosive, high-energy athlete at the snap, moving and recalibrating with ease. Displays rare change of direction and corrective foot speed for leverage recovery. High-mass, well-proportioned blocker with excellent frame density and solid length. Swift lateral burst to match stunting rushers, maintaining phase alignment." NFLDraftBuzz.com
This pick also gives the team depth and long-term stability at the position if Onwenu decides to leave next season.
Round 3 Pick 68: Tackle Patrick Paul, Houston
You could be thinking, why use back-to-back picks on tackles when the Patriots already have Onwenu, Williams, and Morgan in this scenario? The reason is positional value, long-term stability with minimal cap hits, and injury insurance.
People also need to understand how many holes this team has on offense. This team needs to be strictly attacking side of the ball for the present and the future.
Patrick Paul is 6'7 333 pounds. Paul moves his feet well for his colossal size. He is more of a developmental pick, but that is okay because they have the depth at the position with other moves. If he reaches his ceiling, he can be a top-five pass protector at the pro level.
For some extra perspective, the Browns had to have two fourth-stringers step in and play meaningful snaps for a playoff team. If they had hit on more tackle prospects, they could've made more of a run at the Super Bowl. The draft isn't always about bringing in players to play right away. It is also how you build depth for the worst possible outcomes.
Round 5 Pick: 136 Tight End, Ben Sinnott Kansas State
Even with extending Hunter Henry to a two-year deal, I don't expect Mike Geisike or Pharoh Brown to be returning. The last time the Patriots had money, they spent big on Henry and Jonnu Smith, and it didn't work out. But the team can't just have one tight end, so a rookie is an excellent place to get one.
"He’s coordinated with soft, reliable hands, and he shows the ability to adjust to balls thrown behind him, as well as a knack for digging out low throws and showing the ability to get in and out of cuts and create separation. He’s a coordinated hands catcher and extremely violent after the catch, seeking out contact and lowering his shoulder to deliver hits while carrying the ball. Sinnott has surprising straight-line speed. Sinnott runs precise routes, showing an innate feel for setting up defensive backs to create separation." NFLDraftBuzz.com
Ben Sinnott can help in the blocking game in heavy personnel but can also be used down the field in play action. He may take half the season to integrate fully, but he can be Daniels' next best friend. He was one of the main receiving options for Kansas State, so he can definitely perform as the sixth option for the first part of his career.
Round 5 Pick 160: Running Back Dylan Laube, New Hampshire
The Patriots offense has been lacking a third down for years now; basically, since Brady left, that part of the offense was scrapped. They need a specialist who can come out and be a James White type of player to create mismatches and leverage the linebackers.
Rhamondre Stevenson can catch and play in the passing game, but having him do it so much, he can get worn down, making him less effective between the tackles. Dylan is the perfect type of player to know his role, expand the offensive capability, and keep Stevenson fresh all season.
"He’s equally dangerous in catch-and-run situations as Laube is taking the top off a defense. He is a natural playmaker, at his best with the ball in his hands. His competitiveness and knack for high-pointing the ball allow him to play bigger than his size. He keeps his pads low and consistently falls forward. Unlike most backs his size, he has the lateral movement and stop-start ability to make defenders whiff. Laube has breakaway speed in the open field."
Laube had over 140 targets, 1100 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns through the air over his last two seasons with UNH. He will be a difference-maker at the second level and the perfect Patriot.
Round 6 Pick 182: Wide Receiver Anthony Gould Oregon State
Gould would be the player to replace Tyquan Thornton's spot on the depth chart and would be able to come in as a sub and stretch the field. At this point in the draft, teams are ideally looking to fill their depth or with players who could develop into something.
"An impressive athlete with very quick acceleration to reach his top speed quickly and stretch the field. Very good body control and smooth movements. Plays fast and explosive. Gould has reliable hands and shows the willingness to make catches in traffic over the middle." NFLDraftBuzz.com
Gould could develop into another slot-type player with his precise route running and ability to get down behind defense. I don't foresee him being a significant factor this season, but I do think he pushes Thorton off of the team in camp.
Round 7 Pick 229: Tackle Donovan Jennings USF
This whole draft is about revamping the offensive side of the ball and coming out with two tackles who could start this year. Then another developmental guy is an excellent haul for a team that has had protection issues for a few seasons.
I actually can't find highlights for him currently, which is disappointing as a USF alumni. I watched a lot of those games, and he stood out.
Jennings is an intelligent player who works well with his teammates to be sound in his protection. He does a solid job getting to the second level on his blocks and could be helpful as a swing tackle in the running game because he is mobile and agile for a 6'4, 328-pound man. There are worse ways to use a seventh-round pick.
End Of Rant
So this is the second piece of a two-part article series that could fix this team and make them competitive. In the first article, they retained Michael Onwenu, Kyle Dugger, Hunter Henry, and Josh Uche. New England brought in Calvin Ridley, Jonah Williams, Jordyn Brooks, Derek Barnett, and Jaylon Johnson or L'Jarius Sneed.
This article has them adding Jayden Daniels, Troy Franklin, Jordan Morgan, Patrick Paul, Ben Sinnott, Dylan Laube, Anthony Gould, and Donovan Jennings, which would completely revamp the next era of the Patriots offense.
A team like this in New England could win ten games and possibly take home a playoff win; after another offseason like this one, they could be a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
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