Patriots Mock Draft: 7-round mock with all SEC players

No New England Patriots mock draft would be complete without a plentiful amount of SEC players.

Not only does the conference’s status as the premier landing spot for pro talent in college football often influence New England’s draft strategy, but Bill Belichick’s close relationship with Nick Saban has likely influenced some of his decisions in April.

The Patriots will be more spoiled for choice than they are in most offseasons, as they ended up with the No. 15 pick in the draft after a disappointing 7-9 season. With some glaring needs under center, at wide receiver, and in the front seven, the Patriots could go in one of many different directions.

New England has been frequently linked to Alabama QB Mac Jones after he led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season. However, if the Patriots aren’t sold on Jones’ comparatively poor athletic ability, they could opt to pick a speedy playmaker in the first round.

If Belichick wants to once again reach into the well of SEC talent to replenish his team, the Patriots could lean on the conference to bolster the roster and add depth.

These seven SEC players could get drafted by the New England Patriots.

The lack of wide receiver talent has been discussed to the point of exhaustion, as part of the reason Cam Newton was so ineffective throwing the ball was the fact he was throwing to a bunch of tomato cans who couldn’t separate down the field. If Belichick doesn’t love a quarterback like Jones, he should move heaven and earth to secure the services of Waddle.

Waddle, who was one of Alabama’s most valuable skill position players due to his speed, has proven to be a quarterback’s best friend, as QBs have a perfect NFL passer rating over the last two years on throws targeting Waddle. That big-play potential could help New England turn their passing game completely around.

Waddle did suffer through some injuries this season, but he was able to return in time to at least make a cameo in the championship. In a season where players who didn’t play a snap will go pro, Waddle’s lack of production shouldn’t disqualify him. Waddle would be the best vertical receiver New England has had in years.

Trask will likely be available in the second round due to his poor showing at the end of the season and average arm talent. However, New England might be able to snap up a long-term starter if Trask falls into their laps. A huge quarterback at 6-5 and 227 pounds, Trask is incredibly accurate on short and intermediate throws.

Coming off of a season in which he threw 43 touchdowns in a shortened campaign, Trask has plenty to offer inquisitive NFL teams, and Josh McDaniels could easily mold this ball of quarterback clay into something wonderful — as long as that plan doesn’t involve sticking him in the same offense Newton had last year.

Shelvin might be the heaviest prospect at any position in the draft, as he is listed at a whopping 362 pounds. It goes without saying that his frame coupled with some raw power could make him an ideal space-eater in the NFL. Belichick’s defenses have always been at their best when they had a player like Shelvin to take on blocks and allow the linebackers to make plays.

Critics might be turned away by the lack of production, but Shelvin’s profile makes him look like an identical twin of Danny Shelton, who had tremendous success in New England. With his limited pass-rush potential scaring some teams off, the Patriots could snatch up one of the draft’s best run-stuffers on Day 3.

Just looking at his stats and status as the starting middle linebacker for one of the best defenses in the country, there is a very good chance that Rice ends up being drafted higher than this. However, due to his comparatively small frame and overaggressiveness that can open up big plays, Rice could start to slide a little. If he ends up available here, Belichick shouldn’t think twice.

Georgia’s defense might have future pros at every level, but it was Rice who was organizing that unit. With a lack of linebacker depth forcing Belichick to rely on more dime packages this season, adding Rice could allow the defense to set up in a greater variety of looks, all the while adding a tremendous athlete with speed and plenty of boom in his shoulderpads.

Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene are still on probation, as the two third-round picks contributed minimally to the passing game. Belichick loves him some tight ends, and he could take one from his buddy Saban in Forristall, a fifth-year senior who finally started to show that he can be a quality receiver.

Forristall only has one season out of five with any solid stats as a receiver, and his athletic ability leaves a lot to be desired, but he is a tremendous blocker and a versatile tight end that was one of the leaders on several championship-winning Tide teams. For us, that combination is more than worth taking a flier on in the sixth.

A trade with Dallas netted New England another sixth-rounder, and they should use this pick on a player like Young. Young is the epitomization of the phrase “country strong”, as the 6-7 tackle was one of the best run-blockers in the country, establishing himself as a mauler that can get down to the second level and keep making plays.

Young is also the epitome of the phrase “raw as heck”, as his pass protection — or lack thereof — was exposed by deep defenses like Georgia and Tennessee. Dante Scarnecchia might be gone, but the Patriots turned a sixth-run road-grader in Michael Onwenu into a starter last year, and they could be able to do the same with Young by working on his pass protection.

The seventh round is normally a time for teams to take wild fliers on players, but Palmer is a rare late Day 3 prospect that could contribute as a rookie. While he ran a very limited route tree, he is a plus athlete with great hands and body control, traits that could help him be more impactful in the pros than he was in college.

Palmer never really took the superstar leap that the Volunteers expected him to take, but his disappointing stats can be attributed to some bad quarterback play and coaching. A Senior Bowl stud who caught a touchdown in the actual showcase, Palmer could be another solid backup for a shallow Patriots receiver corps.

Patriots Draft: 3 perfect Day 2 targets Bill Belichick could turn into stars

Bill Belichick and the Patriots should try to add one of these 3 standouts on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. What does the Patriots Draft look like?