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New England Patriots: Seven-round 2019 NFL Mock Draft

By Patrick Morgan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: The Vince Lombardi trophy is displayed during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 05: The Vince Lombardi trophy is displayed during the New England Patriots Super Bowl Victory Parade on February 05, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 17: Jace Sternberger #81 of the Texas A&M Aggies catches a 25 yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter as Will Dawkins #21 of the UAB Blazers is unable to defend on the play at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 17: Jace Sternberger #81 of the Texas A&M Aggies catches a 25 yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter as Will Dawkins #21 of the UAB Blazers is unable to defend on the play at Kyle Field on November 17, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Round 3, Pick 97: Jace Sternberger, TE, Texas A&M

This selection is made with the assumption that none of the “Big Three” tight end prospects are still available to the Patriots on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. If Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. is still around when the Patriots are on the clock in Rounds 2 or 3 – or if either one of Iowa’s talented duo of Noah Fant and T.J. Hockenson are still around – then the Patriots should select one of those three players.

More than likely though, the Patriots will be forced to look beyond that trio for Gronkowski’s replacement. New England made headlines recently when they brought in Texas A&M’s Jace Sternberger for a workout, so it’s not as if there isn’t any interest already established on the part of the Patriots when it comes to the 6’4, 250-lb tight end.

Sternberger languished at subpar football programs like Kansas and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M for three years before finally getting his chance to shine under Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M in 2018 as a transfer. In just one season, Sternberger racked up 48 receptions for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns.

He was named a First-team All-SEC and Consensus All-American as a result of his outstanding play last season, and not long after his year ended, Sternberger decided to announce for the NFL Draft.

If selected by the Patriots, he would immediately have a chance to make starting-caliber contributions. In addition to Gronkowski’s retirement, the team also lost Dwayne Allen to the Miami Dolphins in free agency. Although they recently signed veteran journeyman Austin Seferian-Jenkins to a one-year deal, anyone who saw Seferian-Jenkins play in Jacksonville last season can probably tell you he’s not the long-term answer.

Sternberger could be.

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