Three more players the Patriots should avoid in round one

It’s finally the week of the NFL Draft. Final preparations are being made, and possible trades are being put together. But, with the draft, there’s always a temptation to take a player that’s best available compared to a player that would fill a void on the current roster.

At this point, it’s obvious what the Patriots need. They need more offensive linemen and also need help in the secondary. They also need a number one receiver, but that’s been a need for the last two seasons that still needs to be addressed.

There are many more players the Patriots need than those they don’t. For now, they don’t need to take a quarterback and definitely don’t need a running back. So who are three more players the Patriots should avoid in round one?

Jordan Addison (Wide Receiver)- USC

Yes, Jordan Addison should be avoided in round one. Why? His disappointing combine derailed his value from a mid to late first-round pick to most likely a second-round pick.

A major concern that immediately jumps out is that he only had two touchdowns in his last seven games at USC. As a top receiver, that shouldn’t happen, especially since Addison was coming off of a monster season at Pittsburgh the year prior.

Addison also has struggled with his physicality, specifically against hard-hitting cornerbacks. Can he be coached? Yes. But considering the Patriots are searching for a prospect that can be a number one receiver, Addison doesn’t fit the mold. Instead, he would join in on the never-ending spinning washing machine in the current wide receiver room.

Will Levis (Quarterback)- Kentucky

If the Patriots were even to consider a quarterback in the early rounds, Will Levis is not the guy.

Levis is part of the “big 4” (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis) regarding the quarterbacks in this year’s draft.

With Young and Stroud expected to go early, the next best quarterback would be Anthony Richardson, who is, without a doubt, one of the most tantalizing prospects of the group. He would be the better choice if both were available at 14. Plus, Levis has slowly been dropping in some mock draft boards.

But here’s the obvious. The Patriots have three quarterbacks on the roster. Why add a fourth? Bill O’Brien has even said that everyone is getting a fresh start with him. Adding a quarterback in the first round with three quarterbacks already on the roster would be one of Bill Belichick’s biggest draft blunders.

Will McDonald (Defensive End)- Iowa St

This might also be surprising to see a defensive end to make the list.  But here’s the deal; at pick 14, the Patriots should have plenty of options for defensive players.

Myles Murphy of Clemson was brought in for a pre-draft visit which is a sign that the Patriots have a high interest in him. If Tyree Wilson of Texas Tech somehow falls, then there’s your answer for a defensive end.

There’s also a chance that McDonald will fall into the second round. A defensive player that can rush the quarterback should cause some Deja Vu from just a few years ago when Christian Barmore fell, and the Patriots traded up to select him. With McDonald being projected as a late first-round pick, that could happen again.

Lastly, the defense could use some work, but New England has plenty of options in the second, third, and even fourth rounds to address the defensive line.