Three weeks away from the NFL Draft, the Patriots’ roster holes are clear.
Offensive tackle and cornerback lead the pack, followed by some order of wide receiver, tight end, edge defender and inside linebacker. The Pats typically invest their top picks into positions that will become areas of need within a year or two. Will they do so again this month, a time when Bill Belichick, Mac Jones and the rest of the franchise can hardly afford to look ahead?
Here is the Herald’s second seven-round Patriots mock draft.
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 333
A right tackle who allowed the third-lowest pressure rate in the FBS last year and is a road-grading run-blocker? How fast do the Patriots turn in this card?
Wright projects as a Day 1 starter in New England, where everyone would soon learn how he dominated Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson, a projected top-5 pick, in their head-to-head matchup last season. He immediately addresses a position of need in the short and long-term. Wright also has experience playing left tackle, and NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, a former scout with the Eagles and Ravens, believes he has a case for being the best offensive tackle in the class.
Wright checks every box for Patriots O-lineman: smart, tough and athletic enough. The rest, especially for an offense that ranked dead last by ESPN’s Run Block Win Rate, is gravy.
TRADE: Patriots send their second-round pick (No. 46) and a fourth-rounder (No. 107) to Las Vegas to move up to 38th overall.
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 170
Fourteen interceptions. A half-dozen pick-sixes. Man-coverage skills sharpened in the SEC.
Forbes fits the prototype for a Patriots cornerback with arguably the best ball skills in this class and man-to-man talent. The Pats must replace Jalen Mills at one starting spot, now that he’s moving back to safety. Forbes could do that and/or provide insurance if recently suspended Jack Jones doesn’t prove reliable enough to earn more playing time. Not to mention, at 6-foot-1, Forbes gives the Patriots’ smaller cornerbacks room a weapon against bigger wideouts.
If the front office isn’t concerned about how thin he is, they should jump at the chance to add him.
Ht/Wt: 6-5, 254
An injury prone tight end with a big frame and the ability to play in-line and split out wide? Sound familiar?
While Kraft is certainly no Rob Gronkowski, whose injury concerns dropped him into Day 2 of the 2010 draft, he is a well-rounded player who looked like a man among boys at the FCS level. In his last full season, he recorded 770 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. Kraft could take a season to develop behind Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki – both entering contract years – before stepping in as the Patriots’ 2024 starter.
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 178
Another man-to-man corner with natural cover talent, Blackmon can play outside and in the slot. He’s physical, perhaps a bit too handsy, but competes on every type of throw and displays top-notch ball skills. Blackmon broke up 12 passes and snatched three interceptions last year during a third-team All-American campaign.
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 213
O’Connell is one of the most experienced prospects in this class, a three-year starter and six-year player at Purdue. He’s a traditional pocket passer with plus accuracy and command of his offense. O’Connell won’t scare any defenses with his legs, but his quick-decision making keeps him out of trouble, and his profile fits exactly what the Patriots found in the fourth round last year with Bailey Zappe.
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Ht/Wt: 6-1, 209
Arguably the best kicker in the draft, Moody went 4-for-4 kicking in front of the Patriots staff at the East-West Shrine Game in early February. He has the range to make field goals from 50-plus yards and went 7-of-8 last season on kicks between 40 and 49 yards. Overall, he hit 83% of his kicks last season and 92% in 2021, marks that should clear any scouting thresholds for the Patriots.
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 329
Another prospect the Patriots coached at the East-West Shrine Game, Mafi is a run-blocker at his core who has experience playing both guard spots. He left UCLA having played a program-record 56 games, including some at nose tackle after he started his college career playing defense. He's powerful and raw with some untapped potential that should appeal in the later rounds.
Ht/Wt: 6-0, 227
So long as Corliss Waitman is the only punter on the roster, expect the Patriots to target another one in the draft. Turk has immense power in his right leg and was a first-team All-Big 12 selection after ranking third in the FBS with a 46.8 yards per punt average. He averaged more than 50 yards per punt the year before and is the nephew of 19-year NFL veteran Matt Turk, a former punter.
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 258
If it's versatility Belichick wants, he can have it in Colletto.
The former fullback worked at his regular position, tight end and linebacker during his Pro Day last month. He posted explosive numbers in the vertical and broad jump. The Patriots used Colletto as a fullback during East-West Shrine Bowl practices, and without one on the roster, it's fair to wonder whether they've been waiting to add one in the draft.
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 320
A two-time captain at Penn State, Mustipher tested poorly at the NFL Combine but possesses the requisite toughness and versatility that should land him on the Patriots' board. He can play across the interior defensive line and kick out in short-yardage packages. Mustipher has already said he would love to play in New England, and here, the Patriots grant his wish.