My Best Case Scenario for the Patriots’ 2015 Draft

I don’t even know if I want to watch the first round of the draft this year, I mean what’s the point? The Patriots pick last and they’ll probably trade back. I mean, I would. So since I’m playing fantasy GM right now, here’s my 4 round mock draft for the Patriots.

Round 1- Patriots Trade Back

Nothing should be surprising here. I previously had the Patriots taking AJ Cann with this pick, but Mayock and Kiper has a second round grade on him. So I think if the Patriots trade back, they can still get him, and pick up another selection for their troubles. I’m giving them a mid-round 2nd and a mid round 4th for their first round pick in this scenario.

Round 2- Denzel Perryman LB(Miami,FL) and AJ Cann OL(SC)

Ok, so these two picks are contingent on a few things, the first is that the Patriots cut ties with Jerod Mayo. It is a possibility now. Mayo has a large cap number and has been on IR each of the last 2 seasons. This super bowl win shows that the defense can be effective without him. If they cut ties, Perryman would be a great replacement. He looks like a young Ray Lewis (maybe because of team and number), this dude can hit.

I have the Patriots trading up to get him in the second. They’ll give up a 6th to move up a few spots and grab a very versatile lineman. Dan Connolly is a free agent this year, and let’s face it, he’s not very good. Even if the Patriots re-sign him, I can still see them picking up a lineman early to solidify the front group.

Third round- Ellis McCarthy DT (UCLA)

The Patriots need to address the DT position soon. As much as we don’t want to admit it, Wilfork isn’t going to be around much longer, and that could mean this year. He’s currently sitting at 8 mil against the cap for this upcoming season, and he’s not getting any younger. It may be time for the Patriots to move on from the anchor of the defense.  McCarthy isn’t as much of a space filler that Wilfork is, but he is versatile. If Easely can come back from injury, he and McCarthy could play almost anywhere on the line. That’d be crazy.

Fourth Round- Nick O’Leary TE (Florida State), Jordan Richards S (Stanford) and Stefon Diggs WR (Maryland)

In my mock, the Patriots got a 4th and they also have another 4th from Tampa Bay from the Mankins trade. First with O’Leary. He was Winston’s safety blanket at Florida State.I think O’Leary made Winston look better than he actually is. Hooman was scheduled to be the Patriots’ blocking tight end, but he fell well short of that this year. Tim Wright was a nice little addition, but he wasn’t spectacular in any way. O’Leary is a solid player, not great at any one thing, but is versatile (notice a pattern here?) and could be a Delanie Walker type of player for the Pats, I like this pick here.

I gave the Patriots Richards here because we don’t know what’s going to happen with McCourty. Even if they McCourty stays, do we really want to rely on Patrick Chung? He had 1 good year with the Patriots, and it wasn’t even that great of a year. Chung was a serviceable player, but he’s not a staple on the back end. I think they need a player who is smart and can make things happen. I think that player could be Jordan Richards.

Stefon Diggs. Man, this one was tough. I also thought about giving the Patriots another lineman, but the Patriots receiving core could be in for a big change this year. Literally 4 receivers could be on their way out of Foxboro. 4. That’s crazy. Amendola’s number is way too high for a 3rd option, they might let Tyms walk, and they could cut both Dobson and Boyce. If 2 of these 4 players are on their way out, the Patriots will need an influx of talent to their roster. Diggs was electric during his stay with the Terps and could be a steal for the Patriots. During his time at College Park, Diggs was being thrown the ball from non-NFL players. None of his QBs will even make it to the NFL as a walk on. They all suck. Diggs also does returns, something the Patriots need to fix. I’m tired of seeing Amendola barely make it to the 20, then I’m afraid I’ll him dead on the field. Enough is enough, draft someone like Diggs and make life easier. He looks like a young Chad Johnson on the field, and in his prime Chad was amazing, a headache, but amazing.