The Patriots have four picks in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft, and there's all sorts of speculation as to who they'll take. Phil Perry takes a shot at choosing who they'll take, and Mike Giardi reacts to Phil's selections.

TURNING THE TABLES: Giardi selects, Perry reacts

FIRST ROUND, 23RD OVERALL SELECTION

PHIL SAYS PATS WILL PICK: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State. At 6-4, 256 pounds with 34-inch arms, Vander Esch has all the size he needs to play at the next level, and he tested extremely well (4.65-second 40, 39.5-inch vertical, 10-4 broad jump, 6.88 three-cone). After just one year as a starter at Boise, he should be an ascending player.

WHAT MIKE THINKS ABOUT THE PICK: I don’t hate this pick, Phil. The Pats have a need for an off-the-ball linebacker and Vander Esch certainly has the athleticism to make you think he’d be a good fit. He was a pretty good high school basketball player and you can see some of that pay dividends with the way Vander Esch moves on the football field, a certain fluidity and an ability to sink the hips, turn and run. However, the more I watch him the more I wonder about his playing strength and his overall football IQ. He started just one year at Boise and his high school background involved 8-man football. Yes, that is a thing and no, I don’t think it’s a plus. There’s also medical concerns with his neck (he wears the collar for a reason).

FIRST ROUND, 31ST OVERALL SELECTION

PHIL SAYS PATS WILL PICK: Connor Williams, OL, Texas. Notice that's an "OL" next to Williams' name, not an "OT." He can play tackle. And I think after Mike McGlinchey, he might be the most NFL-ready tackle in the class. Maybe he helps the Patriots there as a rookie. Williams could also play guard, which would be useful if Shaq Mason (who's in a contract year) ends up elsewhere for 2019.

WHAT MIKE THINKS ABOUT THE PICK: I seem to recall Phil yelling at me when I suggested Williams may be the best direction for the Pats to go. “He’s not a tackle,” Phil said. Hmmm. What changed? I think Williams could still be a tackle despite his shorter arms. Two years ago at Texas, he was arguably the best tackle in college football. Injuries cost him in his junior season but you at least know the foundation is there. Williams is a sound technician, has good feet and can play with an edge. I like that. My concern here is are you projecting him as a left tackle or to be a guard. Because if it’s the latter, I’m not pulling the trigger with a first-round pick. I’ll wait until one of my seconds to possibly tab a player who can play inside and maybe end up as the eventual successor to Shaq Mason (should his salary demands skyrocket based on the recent market for guards).

SECOND ROUND, 43RD OVERALL SELECTION

PHIL SAYS PATS WILL PICK: D.J. Moore, WR, Maryland. Receiver is one of those sneaky Patriots needs. Not because they require a playmaker in 2018, but because it looks like there's a need coming in 2019. Moore is dynamic with the football in his hands, he's one of the best athletes in the class, and he provides some punt-return ability to boot.

WHAT MIKE THINKS ABOUT THE PICK: If Moore were to fall to this spot, it would be a hell of a pick for the Pats. Moore is one of my favorite playmakers in the draft. A terrific run-after-catch guy who can line up both inside and outside. When you look at the age of the Pats' wide receiving group, he’d be an excellent infusion of both youth and talent for a group that needs it. Here’s the problem: Moore won’t be there, Phil. He’s getting first-round buzz and there’s always going to be a couple teams that just want a shiny new object. Moore will be that and get overdrafted.

SECOND ROUND, 63RD OVERALL SELECTION

PHIL SAYS PATS WILL PICK: Kyle Lauletta, QB, Richmond. Lauletta meets all the physical measurements the Patriots have drafted in the past under Belichick, he's one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the short-to-intermediate range in this class, and he's a true student of the game with solid intangibles. If he's available late in the second round, he's worth the pick.

WHAT MIKE THINKS ABOUT THE PICK: Really going out on a limb here, huh? Lauletta has been linked to the Pats for months, at least by us media types. There’s no question he’s smart -- he's played for four offensive coordinators in four years -- and his work at the Senior Bowl drew praise from his coach down there, former Pats OC and current Texans head Bill O’Brien. Lauletta has good feet and spins it pretty well. I like his work on the short to intermediate stuff but that arm doesn’t allow him to push the ball down the seams like I’d like. I also think those feet are sometimes a detriment because there’s plenty of examples on tape where Lauletta has his eyes squarely on the rush and will duck out of the pocket at the first hint of trouble. To me, if this was pick 95, I’d feel a lot better about the selection.