2020 Patriots Mock Draft 3.0

With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching I thought it would be appropriate to run a few mock drafts with different websites and see what I end up with. Here is take #3. Take a look back at 1.0 here and 2.0 here.

For Mock Draft 3.0 I used Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft simulator.

Now let’s channel our inner Belichick.

Round 1

Trade: #23 (Round 1) to Chicago | #43 and #50 (both Round 2) to New England

I opted for a trade here because the Patriots need a tight end and this years top 2 prospects (Cole Kmet and Adam Trautman) are pretty much solidified as second rounders. This trade allows me to get a tight end and another guy who fits a need. No brainer.

Round 2

Round 2, #43 Overall (via Chicago) – Zack Baun, OLB, Wisconsin

Zack Baun has become the darling of the Patriots Mock Draft community. The Wisconsin product is a Kyle Van Noy clone who could immediately fill a big need on the defense. (He also won Wisconsin Offensive Player of the Year in High School as a dual-threat QB)

Strengths: Explosive athlete at OLB. Productive pass rusher who can also cover RB’s and TE’s. Speedy run defender who can beat reach blocks. Smooth runner with strength necessary to play the run. Natural disrupter.

Weaknesses: Won with athleticism rather than skill in pass rush. Can look robotic in his pass rush. Lacks the prototypical size of an NFL pass rusher.

Pro Comparison: Kyle Van Noy, Miami Dolphins

Round 2, #50 Overall (via Chicago) – Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame

Kmet is the most NFL ready tight end in this years draft. The Patriots currently have zero (yeah I said it) NFL tight ends. Kmet is the easy choice.

Strengths: Runs the seam route (a Patriot specialty) as well as any tight end in the country, and has good NFL size. Plays strong as a runner after the catch. Adequate run blocker with good technique, size and experience will come.

Weaknesses: Plays tall and wobbly in his routes. Run blocking isn’t where it can and most likely will be. Body control needs work.

Pro Comparison: Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns

Round 3

Trade: #87 (Round 3) and #125 (Round 4) to Green Bay | #94 (Round 3), #136 (Round 4) and #192 (Round 6) to New England

(Looking back the extra 6th rounder wasn’t needed but we still got two guys I was eyeing so it was all a wash.)

Round 3, #94 Overall (via Green Bay) – Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame

For the second straight year I have the Patriots taking a big bodied receiver. Luckily, this time it’s in the third round and there aren’t as many expectations. We all assume Mohammed Sanu won’t be a Patriot past 2020 and Claypool can be developed in year one with a chance to breakout beyond.

Strengths: Uses his size (6’4″ 238 lbs) to his advantage as he is known for going up to get it. Strong and nasty run blocker. Always works towards the ball, can out jump any corner. Has the ability to be a top tier gunner on special teams. Also has size and strength to play inline.

Weaknesses: Not going to make many people miss after the catch. His release isn’t at an NFL level yet. Has the tendency to give secondary a chance at low jump balls.

Pro Comparison: Demaryius Thomas, Free Agent

Round 3, #98 Overall – Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton

I promise I don’t have a crush Adam Trautman. After picking him as my first tight end in Mock Draft 1.0 and 2.0 I wanted to switch things up, BUT if he’s available at #98 and you already have Kmet why not get him? You then have the most NFL ready tight end and the tight end with the most upside. A complete overhaul of the position is what the Patriots need.

Round 3, #100 Overall – Logan Stenberg, OG, Kentucky

The entire interior of the Patriots offensive line is in limbo. Thuney’s contract, Mason’s performance, Andrews’ health, and Froholdt as an unknown the Patriots could use a guy like Stenberg to sure things up a bit.

Strengths: Mauler type that isn’t afraid to stick his nose into things. Big body with intelligence to know his assignment on every play. Works well in double teams and has good footwork.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have very strong legs, sneaky grabber inside. Narrow frame. Leans into bull rushers. High center of gravity.

Pro Comparison: Richie Incognito, Las Vegas Raiders

Round 4

Round 4, #136 Overall (via Green Bay) – Anfernee Jennings, EDGE, Alabama

Prior to last years draft I probably wouldn’t have picked a guy like Jennings but the Winovich pick opened up Pandora’s box. Jennings is more of a prototypical 3-4 OLB, but the Patriots play in all sorts of defenses. I would expect him to take Winovich’s spot from last season as a situational pass rusher while Winovich expands his role. I know I said Winovich a lot.

Strengths: Production machine who played A LOT of football in his years at Alabama. Comes from a winning program and played for a friend of Belichick who you may have heard of. (His name is Nick Saban) Well proportioned rusher who takes advantage of his size and athleticism. TFL machine who takes great angles to the ball carrier.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have all of the “tools” but is productive. Slows down after the ball carrier passes him. Not a fluid runner. Not a bendy rusher.

Pro Comparison: Rob Ninkovich, RETIRED

Round 5

Round 5, #172 Overall – Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami

I said I don’t have a crush on Adam Trautman . . . I DO have a crush on Shaquille Quarterman. This is your classic downhill, run thumping, f*ck you up kind of linebacker. Think Elandon Roberts but a better athlete.

Strengths: This is a PHYSICAL man. Consistent tackling production. Will meet anyone in the hole and deliver a thumping. Plays behind his pads.

Weaknesses: Lacks speed and fluidity in coverage. Doesn’t have a ton of third down value, lacks patience that contributes to overflowing himself out of plays.

Pro Comparison: Andre Smith, Carolina Panthers

Round 6

Round 6, #192 Overall (via Green Bay) – Broderick Washington Jr., DT, Texas Tech

Though he is a bit of a tweeter Washington Jr. is a guy I can see making some noise in training camp. He can play multiple positions on the D-Line and may be a good option at the three-technique.

Strengths: Washington Jr. is beloved at Texas Tech for his outstanding work ethic and leadership. Is aggressive in playing the run and sets the inside edge very well. Instinctive player who has a nose for the ball and disrupts the pocket on passing downs.

Weaknesses: Limited move set in his rush, and lacks prototypical DT size. Is limited when forced to play at the same spot. May not have the strength to beat double teams at the next level.

Pro Comparison: Andrew Billings, Cleveland Browns

Round 6, #195 Overall – Tanner Muse, S, Clemson

Tanner Muse is another guy that could compete with Adrian Phillips and Cody Davis for a roster spot and some playing time. He is built like more a linebacker and can play at multiple levels on the defense. He was described to me as “Nate Ebner with less special teams value but more defensive value.”

Strengths: Has a knack for finding the football, smart player who out thinks the offense. Quick trigger and speedy, helps his closing on run plays. Good tackler and can play on special teams.

Weaknesses: True tweeter at LB/S. Below average coverage safety, multiple scouts see him as a linebacker. Agility is below average.

Pro Comparison: Andrew Sendejo, Cleveland Browns

Round 6, #204 Overall – Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern

Bass is the consensus #2 kicker in this years draft. The only two real prospects are him and Blankenship but I can see Belichick swerving everyone.

Strengths: Bass seems to e very consistent in his approach and is even keeled. Hit a high percentage of kicks from 30-50 yards. Can kickoff though it isn’t a need.

Weaknesses: Struggled in inclement weather. Limited from long distance.

Pro Comparison: Honestly idk dude he’s a kicker. I’m more of a punter kind of guy.

Round 6, #212 Overall – Yasir Durant, OT, Mizzou

Durant is a big boy who can immediately step in at the swing tackle position as well as be an option at guard. There are a lot of questions at the offensive line and Durant could very well be the answer.

Strengths: An anchor against power and agile enough to stick with speed. Thick frame that offers ideal size. Controls his own power and doesn’t get caught reaching too much.

Weaknesses: Leaves feet behind when driving, not a great finisher. Needs to improve hand positioning and mirroring techniques.

Pro Comparison: Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Detroit Lions

Round 6, #213 Overall – Aaron Parker, WR, Rhode Island

Parker is the cousin of Isaiah Coulter who I drafted in Mock Draft 2.0 – He has had some recent FaceTime calls with the Patriots and I firmly believe that if you can get Bill Belichick on FaceTime you’re doing something right.

Strengths: Good run blocker with the ability to stay in front of defenders, makes contested catches but slants are specialty. Good route starter.

Weaknesses: Could be pigeon holed as a slot receiver. Can be slowed and/or pushed off his routes easily. Relies too heavily on his ball skills instead of route running.

Pro Comparison: David Moore, Seattle Seahawks

Round 7

Round 7, #230 Overall – Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii

I’m in on Jarret Stidham as the QB of the future for the Patriots but it can’t hurt to draft one this late. McDonald is a guy who can come in and compete for a #3 spot, if there is one.

Strengths: Moves safeties with his eyes and threw it a ton for June Jones in college. Can run a bit, has adequate athleticism. Moves well in the pocket.

Weaknesses: Unorthodox release. Leaves a lot of air underneath throws and has disappointing deep accuracy. Doesn’t have an extremely strong arm and has trouble making tight window throws.

Pro Comparison: Trevor Siemian, Free Agent

Round 7, #241 Overall – Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia

I’ve drafted Blankenship in all three of my mocks. I think he’s the best kicker available. I took him here because I can’t see Belichick taking a kicker and not having them compete. What better way to have competition than between two rookies.

That’s it for Mock Draft 3.0 – Let me know what you guys think!

Find me on Twitter @KeaganStiefel

Here is the short version of the draft.