Perry: Five players the Patriots should consider on NFL Draft Day 2

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The New England Patriots addressed their biggest need by taking Mac Jones at No. 15 in the 2021 NFL Draft. So, what's next?The Patriots own two Day 2 picks -- No. 46 overall in Round 2 and No. 96 overall in Round 3 -- and still have plenty of roster holes to fill. As our Phil Perry points out, however, there's one position that should take top priority.Ahead of Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday, Perry takes a look at five players still on the board who should interest New England and lists other potential Patriots fits the team could target.

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The Patriots aren't above drafting for need. When the player is within reach, the fit is right, and the need-filler is a player who also has the potential to be a cornerstone piece, they've shown time and again they'll pounce.

They did it in 2012 when they needed front-seven help and grabbed Chandler Jones and Dont'a Hightower. They did it in 2018 when they needed a left tackle and a running back and grabbed Isaiah Wynn and Sony Michel. They did it in 2019 when they needed a wide receiver and grabbed N'Keal Harry.

Not all of those picks worked out for the Patriots. But when they see obvious holes for their current roster, they work to figure them out.

After addressing a need in Round 1 with Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, there's one more for this year's roster that seems relatively obvious: wide receiver.

The best fit for the Patriots appears to be Ole Miss super slot Elijah Moore. But there are others who'd fit their mold -- whether they're looking for an interior weapon or an outside-the-numbers option.

Whichever route they choose will likely depend on how they envision Nelson Agholor fitting into their scheme.

If they want him on the outside, where he thrived in Las Vegas in 2020, then there are plenty of slot options who'd work. If they want him inside, there are fewer big-bodied receivers who'd fit what Bill Belichick has drafted in the past, but there are a couple.

 

Perry: Receiver prospects who fit "Protoypical Patriots" mold
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Here is one of those aforementioned big bodies. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder is tied for fourth in LSU history in career receiving touchdowns (23) despite just two seasons as a starter under his belt, and he's one of just six players with at least 1,500 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. Not bad for a school with some big-time receivers who came through the program.

Marshall has enough size to play outside and enough experience in the slot (308 slot snaps in 2020, per Pro Football Focus) to see time all over formations at the next level.

Still just 20 years old, if he packs on some muscle and gets a little stronger at the line of scrimmage, he could be a problem for opposing defenses. Quickly.

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Another long-levered wideout who could kick Agholor to more interior duties, Collins (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) represents one of the all-around best fits in this draft class based on the selections Belichick has made in the past.

He was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 for a Michigan coaching staff loaded with Patriots connections, including former offensive assistant and Josh McDaniels' brother, Ben McDaniels. He had 37 grabs for 729 yards and seven scores that year. Though he opted out of 2020, he went to the Senior Bowl and performed well.

He's not considered a big-time separation-generator, but his athleticism is eye-popping for a player with his frame. He clocked a 4.45-second 40-yard dash to go along with a snappy 6.71 three-cone at his pro day. His impressive jumps of 37.5 inches in the vertical and 125 inches in the broad are no surprise given his tape.

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Brown is a little light (185 pounds) to play wide for the Patriots, but he has plenty of athletic juice to be used outside the numbers in McDaniels' offense. He ran a 4.46-second 40 time and a quick enough three-cone drill at 6.87 seconds.

His 4.35-second shuttle isn't ideal for a Patriots wideout, but he's an explosive player (35-inch vertical, 128-inch broad) who was a down-the-field monster for the Tar Heels.

He racked up over 1,000 yards and 20.0 yards per catch in each of the last two seasons. Even though he didn't run an exotic route tree, he has all the tools to do more in that regard as a pro.

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Moore is a little short (5-foot-7) compared to what the Patriots have drafted in the past. He's a little light (180 pounds). But when considering the absurd level of power packed into his small frame, it would behoove the Patriots to look past any concerns about Moore's stature. He jumped 43 inches in the vertical, ran a 4.29-second 40 and a lightning-quick 6.68-second three-cone drill at his pro day. He checks every box athletically.

He's dealt with hamstring injuries, but those might not be the concern they appear to be on paper. Moore joined our Next Pats Podcast ahead of the draft and said he's been told he's a "Patriots guy" throughout the pre-draft process because of his style of play and how he interviews. Can't disagree.

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This 5-foot-9, 190-pounder feels like a Patriots fit once you understand all the ways in which he was used. He played defensive back for Western Michigan. He was a slot receiver, but he's also one of the fastest players in the draft and a legitimate score-from-anywhere threat. He's returned kicks. He's covered kicks. Loves to tackle. Loves to block. He stood out at the Senior Bowl, which the Patriots like to see from products of non-Power 5 programs.

He was one of only two receivers in college football last season who averaged at least 12 yards per target and 8.0 yards after catch, per reception, per Sports Info Solutions. The other? Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

Eskridge is another friend of the Next Pats Podcast so you can learn much more about him and his game right here.

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Here are some non-receiver Prototypical Patriots still available headed into Day 2 who are worth keeping an eye on in Rounds 2 and 3:

  • Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
  • Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
  • Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
  • Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
  • Dillon Radun, OT, North Dakota State
  • Richie Grant, S, UCF
  • Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
  • Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
  • Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
  • Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisconsin-Whitewater
  • Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma
  • Sam Cosmi, OL, Texas
  • Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
  • Javonte Williams, RB, UNC
  • Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
  • Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
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