The first round is over, but the work has only just begun.
The Patriots have several picks still to make in the NFL Draft, starting with the second and third rounds Friday night. History indicates the team will trade up in the second round. The Pats have moved up for a second-round prospect in each of the past five years, most recently for wide receiver Tyquan Thornton.
Whether they do or don’t trade up, here are eight potential Patriots picks to watch Friday, from the early second round to late in the third.
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 177
Scott possesses the same long speed and agility as coveted Boston College receiver Zay Flowers, another undersized weapon teams have coveted. Scott also served as a gunner on Cincinnati’s punt team, the type of special teams experience that always appeals to the Patriots. He’s drawn comparisons to T.Y. Hilton and Tyler Lockett, and can play both the slot and outside.
As one of the more inexperienced receivers in the draft, Scott could offer untapped potential most other players at his position can’t.
Ht/Wt: 5-8, 168
No receiver prospect in this class separates quite like Dell, an diminutive dynamo who led major college football with 17 touchdowns last year. He’s incredibly fluid in his breaks, quick and fast. As a threat to score anytime he has the ball, Dell could be used in a variety of ways if he lands in New England, where the receiving corps lacks exactly what he has.
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 259
Kraft passed up transfer portal interest from Alabama last offseason to return to South Dakota State. Injury prevented him from breaking out statistically, but his testing numbers at the combine match his man-among-boys tape. Kraft can play both in-line and split out wide, where he’s a monster after the catch. He might have a year-long learning curve coming from the FCS level, but there’s potential for him to finish as a top-3 tight end from this class.
He leaves college as a two-time FCS All-American level.
Ht/Wt: 6-6, 321
Steen started at left tackle for the Crimson Tide last year, but has taken snaps at both tackle spots. He’s one of the most experienced offensive tackles in the draft and shows good awareness against different twists and stunts. With his former offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, now in New England, Steen could have major support in the building.
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 264
Foskey was named a first-team All-American last season after recording 11 sacks and a forced fumble. He plays with a relentlessness that should appeal to the Patriots, who will recognize he’s an exact fit for their edge defender prototype from a physical standpoint. He also blocked four punts in college and was voted a team captain.
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 250
Another non-stop rusher with the physical build the Pats prefer, Young is an older prospect who reputedly takes a professional approach to the game. He creates constant disruption, has some experience dropping into coverage and is one of the twitchier edge rushers in this class. He ran a 4.4 at the NFL Combine and could be a Day 1 contributor.
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Ht/Wt: 5-11, 194
One of the best athletes in the entire draft, Martin played across the secondary at Illinois, which finished with the top-scoring defense in college football last season. He projects as a safety in New England, where they should treasure his speed, instincts, secure tackling and versatility. Not to mention, Martin has ball skills, which he used to nab three interceptions and 11 pass breakups last year.
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 198
A big corner with plus ball skills, Rush would bring needed size to the Patriots' cornerback room. He ran a 4.3 at the NFL combine and could fit seamlessly into their preferred man-to-man scheme. Rush also contributed on special teams at South Carolina, where he faced weekly matchups against some of the best receivers in the country in the SEC.