New England Patriots: 2018 NFL Draft Targets
By Hal Bent
EDGE RUSHER:
New England has a spotty history with edge rushers in the draft in the Bill Belichick era.
In the 2018 NFL Draft there are a number of edge rushers likely available in the first three rounds. Derek Rivers (third round 2017) was on injured reserve all season and Deatrich Wise Jr. (fourth round 2017) flashed some pass rushing skills as a third down pass rusher. Trey Flowers (fourth round 2015) was a home run after a rookie season lost to injury while Geneo Grissom (third round 2015) has been a dud.
The 2012 NFL Draft yielded Pro Bowl edge rusher Chandler Jones (first round) and wasted draft pick Jake Bequette (third round). The 2010 NFL Draft yielded bust Jermaine Cunningham taken one spot ahead of college teammate and two-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Carlos Dunlap.
New England will miss out on the dynamic Bradley Chubb of NC State, Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds, Roquan Smith of Georgia and probably Marcus Davenport of UTSA by the time they are on the clock. LSU’s Arden Key and Ohio State’s Sam Hubbard is a possibility along with Boston College’s Harold Landry are possibilities at the end of the first round