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3 players the Patriots should avoid in round one of the draft

By Sara Marshall

Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) scores a touchdown against Southern California Trojans defensive back Max Williams (4) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Michael Mayer (87) scores a touchdown against Southern California Trojans defensive back Max Williams (4) during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The draft is just around the corner, and the Patriots have a lot of improvements to be made to be a competitive team moving forward, but especially for next season.

They are set to have the 14th overall pick, their highest position in round one since 2008, and have been mock-drafted to select impact players on offense and defense. The problem is they need help on both sides of the football, making their first pick all the more dire to be the right one.

At this point, their biggest needs are offensive tackle, cornerback, and wide receiver. They will have a variety of prospects to choose from, but they will also have a few they should avoid with their round-one pick.

Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2022; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs during the second half against the Baylor Bears at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports /

Bijan Robinson (RB) – Texas

The thought of the Patriots going with a running back in the first round is beyond comprehensible, especially given their currently packed RB roster at the moment.

Additionally, Bill Belichick has only selected two players at the position in the first round during his Patriots’ tenure, picking Laurence Maroney in 2006 and Sony Michel in 2018.

Running backs are not an often valued position in the NFL; generally speaking, there are great prospects in the draft every year. Unless a team is lucky enough to land a player like Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffery, they are unlikely to pay the big bucks to retain them.

Bijan Robinson would be an excellent fit for nearly any team in the league, and he is ranked as the top back in his class for all the right reasons.

He’s fast. He’s dynamic. He’s so elusive he even set a record last season with 104 missed tackles.

How could a team choose against drafting a guy like that?

The Patriots should do just that, unfortunately. They are currently set with their top back Rhamondre Stevenson who has quickly taken over the James White role in the offense. Belichick also brought in James Robinson via free agency this year, another pass-catching back, and Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris will enter their second season in the NFL, ready to have their chance to show all they can do for New England.

Although it wouldn’t be an easy pass, taking a running back in the first round makes absolutely zero sense for the Patriots to do this year, even if Robinson somehow falls to them at 14.

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