2020 Patriots Mock Draft 5.0

For the past few weeks we have been looking at the different approaches the Patriots might take in the NFL Draft. Well….

The NFL Draft Officially kicks off at 7 p.m. so I’m here to drop my last mock draft on you fools.

I’m going to challenge myself a bit today by not drafting anyone I’ve drafted in my previous mocks and not making any trades. Of course we all know that Belichick isn’t going to sit back and wait from #23 to #87 without making any moves. We also know that by this point I’ve correctly predicted all the players New England will draft.

Anyways let’s see who we end up with in mock #5. (Not to be confused with mambo #5)

Take a look at 1-4, Here (#1), Here (#2), Here (#3), and Here (#4).

Round 1

Round 1, #23 Overall – Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

I’ve convinced myself that if the Patriots stay put at #23 then Ruiz is the pick. The biggest priority in New England should be protecting the next QB. The early 2000’s offensive lines were critical in Brady’s development and will be for whoever is next, whether it be Stidham or someone else. With Andrews’ health in question and the contract situation’s surrounding the two guards, a young impact starter would go a long way in shoring up the line. If this is the pick expect Thuney or Mason to be shipped out.

Strengths: Aggressively young (only 20) and athletic. Moves fluidly with excellent snap to step speed. Can play all three IOL positions well, excelled at center. Tenacious demeanor with high football IQ helps him win individual snaps. Good base and ability to mirror.

Weaknesses: Frame isn’t very wide, inconsistent anchor against bull rushers. Needs to work on positioning his blocks.

Pro Comparison: Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

Round 2

No pick.

Round 3

Round 3, #87 Overall – Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts has been linked to the Patriots since his days at Alabama. Both Hurts strengths and weaknesses (as you will see) play into what the Patriots do best in terms of player development. Hurts is a guy who can see the field in a number of different ways while he develops as a pure passer.

Strengths: Talented runner with great athleticism. Won a ton in college posting a 38-4 career record. Experienced in 2 separate systems including one very similar to the Patriots’. Youngest 5th year senior I’ve ever seen at only 21. Natural playmaker who turns it on in crunch time.

Weaknesses: Trouble staying patient and often breaks plays down on his own. Under threw speedy guys at OU and Alabama. Slow release that contributes to leaving balls behind receivers. Needs to improve on trusting the pocket.

Pro Comparison: Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints

Round 3, #98 Overall – Jordyn Brooks, OLB, Texas Tech

It takes a lot for me to draft a Big 12 defender but Brooks fills the need for a linebacker here in the third round. Though he isn’t a KVN or Jamie Collins replacement, being placed in the right system could be just what Brooks needs to breakout. Brooks is like diet Kenneth Murray.

Strengths: Perfect NFL LB size, with above average instincts and athleticism. Aggressive downhill and moves well sideline to sideline. Impressive run fits, ability to play inside or outside.

Weaknesses: Bad tape against Oklahoma, gets lost in space in zone drops. Coverage lacks altogether. Needs to use hands more effectively to get off blocks.

Pro Comparison: Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

Round 3, #100 Overall – Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

The need for tight end mixed with how weak the 2020 class is forces us into taking Hopkins here. Trautman and Kmet will be gone by the end of round 2 so it leaves fewer options than normal. Hopkins has the most upside of the tight ends that were left.

Strengths: Good developmental traits based prospect. Quick in and out of routes and searches for the football immediately. Good at finding room in zones, runs good routes in the middle of field. Tough guy who blocks well enough to stay on the field. Everything he does well comes from effort not technique.

Weaknesses: Dropped too many passes. Looks like he labors when running routes, frantic in his blocks with poor pad level. Everything he does well comes from effort not technique.

Pro Comparison: Vance McDonald, Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 4

Round 4, #125 Overall – Kenny Willekes, DE, Michigan State

Willekes has a chip on his shoulder. He recently went viral for posting a video doing athletic things because some draft experts said he wasn’t athletic. Seems like my type of guy. The Patriot defense stays largely unchanged but they could use an extra end or two on that d-line incase the interior gets too thin.

Strengths: High motor effort pass rusher who never gives up on the play. Above average production. Former walk-on with a larger chip than most. Won’t miss a tackle and plays smart in his angles to the ball.

Weaknesses: Though he can do athletic stuff he’s no Bo Jackson. Production slipped against higher levels of competition. Lacks range to play standing up. Pass rush moves are limited.

Pro Comparison: Carl Nassib, Las Vegas Raiders

Round 4, #139 Overall – Brandon Jones, S, Texas

Jones is a safety who played all three safety positions in Austin. The Patriots have more safety depth than most think but most of it comes in the form of one year contracts. Jones provides more depth with an eye on the future.

Strengths: Tough player with attacking demeanor. Good open field tackler with speed to cover over the top. Made good adjustments in his coverage. Good motor to pursuit ball carriers. Tailor made for special teams.

Weaknesses: Not great in man coverage. Average instincts and response time when plays develop. A little undersized for his playing style, needs to be schemed intro the defense.

Pro Comparison: Tashaun Gipson, Houston Texans

Round 5

Round 5, #172 – James Proche, WR, SMU

Proche is a guy who would be a 2nd or 3rd rounder in any other draft. It just so happens he’s a part of one of the deepest drafts in history. The patriots have a need at WR but it’s not as big a need as most think and I think Proche in the 5th round is as good a value as you can get.

Strengths: Uber productive receiver who had 209 catches and 27 touchdowns over his last two seasons. Great 50/50 receiver who can maneuver his body in any position to catch the ball. Great at tracking down the ball with ability to make circus catches.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have a specific fit, not a speedster and isn’t a superstar route runner. Not known as a great blocker and relies on his 50/50 skills too much.

Pro Comparison: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers

Round 6

Round 6, #195 Overall – Justin Herron, OT, Wake Forrest

Marcus Cannon isn’t going to be around much longer, his retirement has been a concern the past two offseason so it’s time to look for a replacement, Herron is a project guy who can compete with Yodney Cajuste and Korey Cunningham for the swing tackle spot.

Strengths: Herron is actually projected to move inside so he’s versatile. Athletic bloodlines, fluid hips and good footwork. Hard worker who does more than what’s asked. Moves to second level well.

Weaknesses: Awful hand placement that gets him in trouble with flags. Allows opponents to get into his frame too easily. Needs to improve play strength and ability to stay locked onto blocks.

Pro Comparison: Will Beatty, Free Agent

Round 6, #204 Overall – Charlie Woerner, TE, Georgia

Woerner isn’t going to light up the stat sheet but he’s a tenacious blocker who is actually good at blocking. Im looking at you Ryan Izzo. More of an UFA fit but TE is a need so he’s getting drafted here.

Strengths: Scrappy and competitive play after play. Top tier blocker at TE position. Athletic and speedy for TE.

Weaknesses: Undersized with short arms, unspectacular pass catcher at best. Below average production at UGA. Feels like he works into everything he does, not very sudden.

Pro Comparison: James O’Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars

Round 6, #212 Overall – John Penisini, DT, Utah

Defensive Tackle depth is a question headed into the season. Penisini is a gap clogger with the ability to take up space and help linebackers with their run fits.

Strengths: Brick wall like frame, wide enough to cover multiple gaps. Big hands and long arms. Short frame allows him to get under offensive lineman, plays like an anchor. Violent hands.

Weaknesses: A millisecond slow, gets him behind in any sort of pass rush. Not a pass rusher. Beat up on smaller schools, struggled against bigger schools. Off balance in his run defense.

Pro Comparison: Greg Gaines, Los Angeles Rams

Round 6, #213 Overall – Matt Ammendola, K, Oklahoma State

*TECHNICALLY I TOOK TYLER BASS BECAUSE HE AND BLANKENSHIP ARE THE ONLY OPTION ON THE DRAFT SIMULATOR BUT AMMENDOLA IS THE REAL PICK HERE.*

Strengths: Easy motion, great followthrough, strong-enough leg but not great power, good balance.

Weaknesses: Underwhelming stats.

s/o to @ZoddaZone on twitter for the scouting report.

Round 7

Round 7, #230 Overall – Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska

Bill Belichick LOVES UFA/Late Round DB’s. This list includes.

• Ken Webster
• Keion Crossen
• Alfonzo Dennard
• Malcolm Butler
• J.C. Jackson
• Jonathan Jones
• Justin Coleman

That is a list of solid to good NFL players. There’s no reason to think Jackson can’t be the next in a long line of these guys. CB is the Patriots strength but that has never stopped Belichick from making these kinds of moves.

Strengths: Good size and had quality production at Nebraska. Fluid hips, lengthy and leapy (not a word) enough to make plays on the football.

Weaknesses: Doesn’t have the best instincts and is impatient. Can’t track the deep ball very well and lacks blazing speed.

Pro Comparison: Bashaud Breeland, Kansas City Chiefs

So there you have it. Have fun watching tonight and feeling spoiled when I get everything right.

Here’s the short version.