Perry's Patriots Mock Draft: Belichick gets his new QB
The Patriots are in a difficult position. They need a quarterback. Clearly. And though they're picking at No. 15 overall, higher than they're used to, they're in all likelihood going to be out of range for the top-four quarterbacks in this year's draft class.What now? They could trade for a quick fix like Jimmy Garoppolo. Or they could sign a band-aid option like Ryan Fitzpatrick. But in either scenario, what are they building toward? A trade will mean real draft capital out the door and a significant cap hit. A free-agent signing, considering the talent available in this year's crop of potential signees, might be nothing more than a year-long solution.The draft is where most teams can really put themselves on the path to long-term contention. The Patriots are no different. That's why in this seven-round, team-specific mock draft we're going to make sure the Patriots come away with a true cornerstone piece at the game's most valuable position.In this exercise, the Patriots acknowledge they don't want to be picking in the mid-teens again any time soon. They also acknowledge that this is a year in which a franchise-caliber quarterback could be available beyond the first couple of picks. Add it all up and . . . sounds like a good year to trade up. Way up.Let's get into it.
PATRIOTS TRADE: No. 15 overall, No. 46 overall, 2022 second-rounder
FALCONS TRADE: No. 4
The Falcons could be in the quarterback market, but the Patriots present them with real value to improve their 2021 roster as they try to make a little run with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones.
For the Patriots, giving away their first two picks and a future second is a lot to move up 11 slots; it's a bit of an overpay, according to Rich Hill's trade value chart. But for Wilson? A quarterback who can make any throw on the field, from any platform? And accurately? Worth it. Plus, the Patriots have a way of replacing the 2021 second-round pick they lost in the trade . . .
Bean: What Pats should be willing to spend for every QB in trade market
PATRIOTS TRADE: Stephon Gilmore
NINERS TRADE: No. 43 overall
. . . Gilmore is the most valuable trade chip the Patriots have on their roster. Even if he's on the wrong side of 30. Even if there's just one year remaining on his deal and he'll need a new contract soon. Getting a second-round pick back, sending him to the ready-to-compete and corner-needy Niners, would make sense for Bill Belichick.
With the pick he gets in return, Belichick will pull a classic Belichick maneuver by rolling the dice on a high-upside prospect. Little was a five-star recruit and considered by many to be one of the top players in college football two years ago. He suffered an injury that robbed him of almost his entire 2019 campaign and then opted out of 2020. It's been a while since we've seen him. But if he's a first-round talent, and he was last we saw him, getting him in the second would qualify as a bargain.
Perry: Could Pats possibly invest in Wentz after train-wreck 2020?
The Patriots could roll with a receiver here, but we'll presume they take a crack (or two) at that position via free agency. And it's a deep receiver class. They can wait and snag a couple of enticing pass-catchers late.
They can't wait if they want a corner with special physical traits. That's St. Juste. At 6-foot-3, 205 pounds he has the length to press at the line of scrimmage and wipe out bigger targets. If 2019 second-rounder Joejuan Williams doesn't develop into what the Patriots are looking for, St. Juste could. St. Juste is one of many Senior Bowl participants listed in this mock. The Patriots love them some Senior Bowl participants, and this year -- given the COVID-related restrictions on player access -- should be no different.
Perry: Is a QB with a big cap hit a recipe for success?
Tuipulotu could end up being the type of player who's more valuable to the Patriots than he is to other clubs. At 6-2, 308 pounds with 33-inch arms and 10-inch hands, he's not going to blow you away with traits. He's a little shorter, but his frame isn't all that far off of how Lawrence Guy measured before the draft years ago. And Tuipulotu's game is similar. He's sturdy and will help a shoddy run defense get better. Like St. Juste, he participated in this year's Senior Bowl.
While tight ends like Darren Waller and Travis Kelce help take their respective offenses to new heights, there's only a couple of those guys in the NFL. They're game-changing receivers who are tight ends in title only, really. Long ain't that. But that's OK for the Patriots. They want true dual threats at the position. And at 6-5, 254 pounds, Long fits the mold of a player who can do the dirty work. Plus, the Senior Bowler's hands are strong enough to win in contested situations. Drafting two tight ends last spring doesn't mean Belichick will shy away from the spot in 2021.
Get open. Catch the football. That's long been Belichick's response when asked about what traits he seeks in his receivers. That's why the N'Keal Harry selection was a bit curious in 2019. He wasn't a "get-open" guy in college. He was a contested-catch guy.
Smith can separate. A detailed route-runner. Lightning quick. He's slight (5-10, 186 pounds), but he could be a problem for opposing defensive backs in the slot. A Senior Bowl standout, he has the potential to be a long-term security blanket for Wilson working from the interior.
When Ogundeji used his length (6-4, 256 pounds, 35-inch arms) to power through a blocker at the line of scrimmage in Mobile, I made the observation that he looked a bit like Trey Flowers. They're not all that dissimilar in terms of build. And for a defense that could use a little more beef at the end of the line of scrimmage, Ogundeji, a captain for the Fighting Irish, looks like a fit.
Sensing a theme here? Yep, Palmer showed out at this year's Senior Bowl too. And it's easy to understand why when you watch him play. At 6-1, 210 pounds he has the build to play outside for the Patriots, and his speed is . . . something.
The Patriots typically want freaky athletes on the outside, and while we haven't seen his test numbers yet, Palmer seems to fit the bill. If he had a good quarterback at Tennessee to get him the ball, we might be talking about him going much earlier than this.
Mountain of a man. At 6-5, 360 pounds, he'd be a true nose tackle in Belichick's defense. They could've used one last year as Beau Allen missed the season on injured reserve. Slaton would fit the "don't grow on trees" type of mold to whom Belichick refers when speaking about players that can operate at 350 pounds or more. Between this selection, that of Tuipulotu and that of Ogundeji, the run-game performance stands to improve.
Listed at 6-3, 250 pounds and with long arms, Koonce looks exactly like what the Patriots typically draft to play outside linebacker. If Anfernee Jennings is an off-the-ball 'backer, and if Dont'a Hightower is back, they might be OK at inside linebacker. Particularly since they have box safeties they like to play close to the line of scrimmage. But on the outside? Right now it's Chase Winovich, Josh Uche and . . . unclear.
Koonce will hustle. He had 18 tackles for loss in 17 games over his last two seasons for the Bulls.
