3 dream 2022 NFL Draft targets for New England Patriots

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with the referees in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 18: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots talks with the referees in the second quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Velus Jones Jr, New England Patriots
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – NOVEMBER 7: Velus Jones Jr. #1 of the Tennessee Volunteers, a Patriots draft target (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots will be in for one of the most impactful drafts in years when they select their 2022 rookie class. Mac Jones got them to the postseason, but they need to restock the cupboards in order to make sure that he can continue to get this team deep into the postseason picture.

The Patriots have holes at wide receiver, cornerback, and linebacker that could be addressed in both the first round and deep in the later rounds. Even amid all of their success, it’s easy to see where this team has struggled.

While nailing the No. 21 pick in the draft will be incredibly important for this franchise, Belichick’s performance in the later rounds will have a huge impact on how New England stands up to two rapidly improving division counterparts and a Buffalo squad that isn’t going anywhere.

These 3 NFL Draft targets could help the Patriots draft a cornerstone in the first round, find some multi-year contributors in the second and third rounds, and pick up some valuable depth on the final day. If any one of these three end up in Patriots colors, that’s a job well done from Bill Belichick.

3 perfect draft targets for the New England Patriots.

Pick Analysis. WR. 839. Scouting Report. Tennessee. Velus Jones Jr.. 3. player

Jones was likely going to be a very late-round prospect before he balled out at the Senior Bowl. Consistently tracked as one of the fastest players in Mobile, Jones showed that he could be a very promising deep threat if he is utilized correctly in the proper offense.

Jones, who transferred from USC after being blocked by a host of current pro receivers, was one of the main reasons Josh Heupel’s offense took suck a big step forward. New England could get more vertical if they add Jones on Day 3, as he’d be a solid No. 4 wide receiver that could eventually move to the No. 3 slot.

Velus Jones Jr. offers deep speed for the New England Patriots.

The concerns around Jones are real. He is a fifth-year senior with just one year in which he topped 300 yards receiving. The age could be a factor in his draft position. Did he already have his breakout season? Will the Patriots draft a poor blocker that was mostly used as a weapon on screen passes?

While the age and production questions are valid, Jones’ speed was too much for several future Pro Bowl players to handle in Mobile. Jones will add a whole new dimension to this offense if he is able to translate his explosion to a somewhat tame Patriots attack.