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Patriots: Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft will have New England fans going wild

By Thomas Carannante

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before a snap in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 01: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before a snap in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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The NFL Draft is almost here, New England Patriots fans. It might not feel like it, but we’re already in mid-April. We’ll have answers for everything we’ve been talking about for months before you know it.

And what do you know? This is arguably the most important draft for the Pats in 20 years.

Though they’ve revamped their roster with some aggressive spending in free agency, Bill Belichick still needs to find the organization’s quarterback of the future and address some skill positions. He should be able to do that since this is the highest Patriots’ first-round draft pick since 2008.

According to Mel Kiper Jr., Belichick will address the team’s two biggest needs in the first two rounds. In his latest mock draft — two weeks away from the real thing — he has the Patriots trading up to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields at No. 10 overall.

Big win, right? Fields was the consensus No. 2 QB in this draft before the 2020 season started. And all it cost was the Patriots 2022 first-round pick, which shouldn’t really matter given all of the signings they made this offseason coupled with the number of other young players who figured to grab hold of a bigger role in 2021.

Plus, the time is now for the Patriots. Get your hands on a top quarterback prospect while you have the higher pick and the assets to part with. There’s a good chance Cam Newton will not be under center after this year. Let Fields hold the clipboard and wear the headset, learn the playbook and work under the tutelage of a former MVP in Newton.

https://twitter.com/SInow/status/1382068641353584643?s=20

Another note: this match isn’t just speculated from Kiper. Other NFL analysts think a Fields/Pats pairing is very much realistic come April 29.

Why not throw in another wide receiver after the retirement of Julian Edelman and the uncertainty surrounding N’Keal Harry? With the No. 46 overall pick in the second round, Kiper has the Pats snagging Clemson WR Amari Rodgers, who was Trevor Lawrence’s top weapon with the Tigers this past season.

Rodgers recorded 77 receptions for 1,020 yards and seven touchdowns. He can beat you deep. He can break your ankles in the open field. He gets open underneath. He’s compact, standing at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, ran an unofficial 4.44 40-yard dash at Clemson’s pro day, and has sure hands. Pats fans need someone in the receiving corps that can haul in throws without issue. There have been too many drops over the last few years.

And lastly, he has plenty of experience returning punts. Belichick always likes to utilize rookies on special teams as a way to have them work their way up, and using him in that manner can help his rise the ranks in New England.

What do you think, Pats fans? Seems like a gigantic win to us.

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