Patriots 7-Round Mock Draft: Mega offensive-heavy draft to close gap in AFC East

Patriots select Max Melton, CB, Rutgers, with 193rd pick

The Pats' final two picks are defensive backs. These are depth moves. First, with their own pick, No. 193, the team selects cornerback Max Melton from Rutgers. Melton is of decent size at 5'11" and weighs 187 pounds, but his best physical assets are his speed and leaping ability.

He ran a quick 4.39 forty with an awesome 40.5" vertical. This is another solid pick as Wolf departs for the first time from bolstering the offense. There is no problem with that at this point.

Patriots select Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia, with pick 231

And to wrap things up, in the seventh round, Wolf selects another depth defensive back, Tykee Smith, from the perennial ACC powerhouse, Georgia. Smith had a great 2023 season, racking up 70 total tackles with two sacks and a solid four Interceptions.

He's just what the doctor ordered for a late-round pick with the Pats having needs at defensive back.

Eliot Wolf has added a top-three quarterback, a top outside receiver, his potential if not immediate starting left tackle and right tackle, a very good possession-type receiver, a tight end who can catch it, and two depth-defensive backs.

This scenario would be an excellent three days of work for the new de facto general manager. This draft is exactly what the New England Patriots need. Wolf would have drafted consensus players exactly where the team needed them, primarily on offense, and also added defensive backfield depth. If he maneuvers this draft or one similar, the only grade that can be assigned here is an A+++.

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