Patriots: 3 draft picks that prove Bill Belichick is still king
By Mike Luciano
Very few NFL Draft classes actually manage to improve after selecting a future franchise quarterback at No. 15 overall, but that’s exactly what Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have managed to pull off following the slide of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.
Jones ending up right there potentially gave the Patriots an alternative to Cam Newton should the veteran start to falter. After starting off on such a high note, the Patriots only got better choosing to add some of the best defensive players in this draft on Day 2 while looking for value on Day 3.
While the Patriots made some of the best picks on Saturday in Oklahoma running back Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round and Michigan linebacker Cameron McGrone in the fifth round, Belichick has somehow managed to top himself, making up for a 2020 draft that earned mixed reviews.
Belichick remains the king until someone takes his crown away, and three of his best selections over the last few days prove that no one is close to hitting on value in the draft.
These 3 Patriots draft picks showed Bill Belichick killed it.
3. Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
While the interior defensive line class was weak this year, Barmore was clearly the best player at the position, and it was a crime that he ended up slipping out of the first round. Thanks to the Cincinnati Bengals, New England ended up in a perfect position to add Jones’ college teammate in the powerful Barmore.
The Bengals moved down in the draft to take Clemson lineman Jackson Carman, while the Patriots put an end to Barmore’s slide by picking the best 3-technique tackle in this class. He slid for a reason, but there’s a ton of potential housed in his gigantic frame as a run-stuffer and pass rusher.
Patriots DT Christian Barmore could challenge for a starting spot right away.
Barmore might not be handed a starting role right away, as Lawrence Guy and Davon Godchaux will likely get most of the snaps. However, if one of them slips up for even a second (or suffer an injury), Barmore should step right in and be an instant x-factor on a deep defense.
Eight sacks for a player that supposedly doesn’t have a high pass-rush ceiling in the NFL is a very impressive tally, and his ability to slip past linemen and grind them into the dirt with equal amounts of skill is a very welcome trait to have. If anyone knows how to get the most out of him, it’s Belichick.