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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Jets have edge, Browns get defensive in two-round projection

By Randy Gurzi

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 01: Josh Allen #41 of the Kentucky Wildcats plays against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Commonwealth Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 15: Jerry Tillery #99 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rushes against Devin Cochran #77 of the Vanderbilt Commodores at Notre Dame Stadium on September 15, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Vanderbilt 22-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

32. New England Patriots: Jerry Tillery, DT, Notre Dame

The New England Patriots won their sixth Super Bowl this February, all six of which have come in the Tom Brady era. As good as Brady has been, their 13-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams had more to do with their extraordinary play on defense. Head coach Bill Belichick had a great plan and the Rams struggled mightily to move the ball.

Looking ahead to this offseason, the Patriots may need to make some moves in order to stay strong on defense. Several talented players are scheduled for free agency such as defense end Trey Flowers and tackles Malcom Brown and Danny Shelton.

Of the three, Flowers seems the most likely to be retained and Shelton is unlikely to be in the plans moving forward. Brown is a wild card as there’s no telling what the team will do with him — and if he gets into free agency it’s likely someone will offer him more than New England will. That could mean that the Patriots replace the No. 32 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft with the 32nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, which is Jerry Tillery in this mock.

Tillery has been a solid player for Notre Dame and really stood out in his senior campaign when he had seven sacks. He was a big reason the Fighting Irish had as good a season as they did in 2018 and improves the Patriots defensive line with his presence.

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