Patriots focus on improving the defense in new 7-round mock draft

Round 6, Pick No. 180 - Trey Taylor (S, Air Force) 

Here he is, ladies and gentlemen, the new Matt Slater. That’s the plan anyway. Unsurprisingly, Taylor demonstrates great discipline on the field. And while he isn’t the fastest defensive back in the draft, he plays quicker than his 4.5 40-yard time suggests. 

Taylor was a running back when he arrived at the Air Force Academy. But he didn’t blossom until he switched to safety. He is Ed Reed’s cousin, so someone probably should have moved him earlier!

At college, he won the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back in college football. He didn’t stop there, either; at the Shrine Bowl, he won the Pat Tillman prize, which is awarded for demonstrating character, sportsmanship, and intelligence on the field.

The only real question regarding Taylor is why he is projected to go undrafted. Someone should snap him up on the third day. 

Round 6, Pick No. 193- Will Reichard (K, Alabama) 

The Patriots spent a fourth-round pick on a kicker in 2023. Let’s just say it did not go well. Chad Ryland ended the season as the worst kicker in the league. Yet he somehow managed to nail the field goal that prevented the Patriots from landing the second-round pick in the draft.

Why not pick another one this year? Surely, it can’t end as poorly this time around.