New England Patriots: Seven-round 2019 NFL Mock Draft

Round 3, Pick 73: Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

The strong, lengthy connection between Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban is well-documented. Apart from being on the same coaching staff with the Cleveland Browns in the 90s, Belichick and Saban have maintained a firm friendship as well as a deep level of mutual respect over the subsequent years.

Belichick was in attendance at Alabama’s Pro Bowl, where he met with a number of NFL draft prospects that will surely be selected in the first couple days of the event. Many reports link the Patriots to tight end Irv Smith Jr., which would make sense considering Rob Gronkowski’s retirement last month.

Still, tight end is somewhat surprisingly an area of relative depth in this year’s draft class. While it certainly wouldn’t be shocking to see Belichick nab Gronk’s replacement in the first round, my thinking is that might be a bit high for a talent-evaluator as prudent as Belichick.

Historically, most tight ends have struggled to make the adjustment to the NFL until later in their careers (with Gronkowski being a notable exception), so it might make sense to wait until Day 2 to try and find a tight end. If that is indeed the plan, then several top tight end prospects (like Smith Jr.) could already be gone.

Fellow Alabama footballer Mack Wilson would also fill an area of need for the Patriots. While New England’s defense as a whole overperformed in last season’s magical postseason run – particularly in Super Bowl 53 – it doesn’t completely disguise the fact that there’s not a lot of depth in the Pats’ linebacking corps. Look beyond Dont’a Hightower and breakout star Kyle Van Noy, and suddenly New England’s coffers appear particularly bare.

Wilson was exceptional during his time in Alabama, and should have an easy time making the transition to the NFL. He would pair nicely with fellow Crimson Tide alumnus Hightower if the Patriots call his name on draft day.