What the Patriots do on the offensive side of the ball in next month's NFL draft will undoubtedly be essential to how the team looks next season and beyond. New England certainly hasn't done much in free agency - yet - to help out quarterback Drake Maye, with wide receiver Stefon Diggs leaving a March 19 visit to Gillette Stadium without a contract in hand.
Patriots fans are hopeful Travis Hunter, a surefire, world-class talent, falls to them with the No. 4 pick, but if that doesn't happen or if New England trades back, the team needs to have a backup plan.
Many players are heading into the draft flying under the radar, and that may be good news for Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf.
Under the radar players the Patriots could target in next month's draft
1. Ashton Jeanty - RB
While Jeanty is arguably the most talented running back available in the draft and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, he somewhat flew under the radar at Boise State. One would have to wonder if he played at a school like Alabama or Notre Dame, whether that would be different.
New England has Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson under contract for next season, but Stevenson's issues with fumbling could lead the Patriots to draft a running back in the early rounds.
Jeanty rushed for a whopping 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns as a senior, averaging seven yards per carry. If a receiver or a left tackle isn't there for the Patriots, Jeanty is an intriguing choice.
2. Tyler Warren - tight end
Heralded as the best tight end in the nation, the Penn State product is looking like a solid early-round pick, and even though the Patriots have Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper in their tight end room, Hooper is on a one-year deal and it wouldn't hurt for New England to think about the future at this position.
Warren is a walking matchup problem at 6'6'' and 257 pounds, and would be a dream target for Maye in the red zone. His breakout season came last fall, with 104 catches and eight touchdowns. Given Josh McDaniels' penchant for utilizing multiple tight ends, Warren could be a second- or third-round steal for the Patriots.
3. Josh Simmons - OT
We can't leave the offensive line out of this list, given the Patriots need to consider the left tackle position.
While Simmons has played mostly right tackle, he could be an intriguing second- or third-round option for New England, especially if they select the best player available with the No. 4 pick. If Hunter is still on the board, it would have to be him.
Simmons ran a 5.15 40-yard dash at the combine - not too bad for an offensive lineman - which indicates that he can move in space and block down the field, a skill that offensive linemen must possess in a McDaniels' offense that will likely see frequent screen passes. If Simmons doesn't go late in the first round and is sitting there for the Patriots on Day Two, he's worth a shot.