Patriots: 3 top draft prospects who’d be awful fits in New England

This New England Patriots draft will be as important as any in recent memory for Bill Belichick, as it has been quite some time since he has had a pick as high as No. 15 following a very disappointing 7-9 campaign in 2020.

The Patriots could be in the market for a quarterback like Alabama’s Mac Jones to potentially succeed Cam Newton, a new offensive lineman, or a defensive difference-maker who could cement himself as a long-term building block on an aging unit.

The Patriots built a dynasty on the backs of some excellent drafts over the years, but their results over the last seven drafts can be called into question.

The only All-Pro or Pro Bowler they have taken is punter Jake Bailey. Couple that with some spectacular failures in the second round, and you have yourself a narrative.

Belichick needs to take a great look at how the players he is picking fit into his scheme, as doing so could help minimize the number of catastrophic errors that he seems to run into.

If he takes one of these three poor fits, his list of draft day blunders will only get longer.

These 3 NFL Draft prospects might not succeed with the Patriots.

Patriots Poor Fit No. 1: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama

Leatherwood is a prospect that will likely be picked at the end of the first round, as his time at Alabama saw him help the Tide win a national championship while showcasing the versatility and skill as a run blocker that teams picking in the 20s want to see out of their linemen.

If the Patriots decide to trade down, Leatherwood might end up in New England on the back of Belichick’s connection with Nick Saban. However, Leatherwood might not be best suited for New England’s offense, despite the fact that they have a very long history with regard to developing linemen.

Why would Alex Leatherwood not fit on the Patriots?

Leatherwood’s best trait is his athletic ability, which will be best utilized in a zone-blocking scheme that will allow him to get out in the open field and create running lanes. In a man-blocking scheme like New England has, Leatherwood might have a tough time making the transition to the pros, as his skillset would be underutilized.

Leatherwood has value in the NFL, but there are players that might be a better fit for New England than the former Tide star. Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield and Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins could have much higher ceilings than Leatherwood, proving that picking him after a trade down isn’t the right move.