Over the last few years, it has been easy to predict who the Patriots would select with their first-round pick, largely because they were on the clock at the top of the round. That's not the case this year, as they made it to the Super Bowl and won't be making their selection until No. 31.
Obviously, that limits who will remain on the board, and most assume they will prioritize two positions: offensive tackle or defensive end.
There is a chance they could go for a wide receiver as well if the right one falls into their lap, but some experts, like ESPN's Mike Reiss and Jordan Reid, have thrown in another that would probably upset Patriots fans.
That position is defensive tackle, which, on the surface, looks mostly solid, with Christian Barmore and Milton Williams leading the way. The problem is their depth, plus the impressive talent available in the first two rounds, which makes Reid believe there's a chance the Patriots go in that direction with their earliest selections.
There is a chance the Patriots disappoint fans with their early draft decisions
Regarding the latest insight into what the Patriots might do come draft night, Reid shared his take on the chance of seeing a defensive tackle selected in the first two rounds, listing players the Patriots might have their eyes on.
"It's essential for the Patriots to attack the offensive and defensive lines in this draft. Don't rule out a defensive tackle for New England in the first two rounds, as it wants to continue to strengthen its rotation at that spot.
Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) is someone to watch early, and Nick Barrett (South Carolina) is an interior defender to keep an eye on in later rounds."
Although they might be solid additions in the long term, it doesn't feel like the best use of their draft capital, given the other weakened positions that feel far more in need of addressing than defensive tackle.
It seems fair to assume that Patriots fans would be incredibly disappointed if either player, or any other defensive tackle, is taken that early, mainly due to who is likely to still be on the board and who they'd be passing on.
Maybe it all depends on who those players are and whether they feel like a better fit or fill a bigger role, so we won't know how to feel until it happens. But it does feel fair to say that ahead of the draft, taking a defensive tackle early doesn't seem like a good decision.
Add us as a preferred source on Google