The New England Patriots build a new offense in this 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
We’re in unfamiliar territory for the New England Patriots. There’s no better evidence of this than the fact that, with their loss to the Dolphins in Week 15, officially eliminating them from the playoffs. This is the first time since 2008 that they’ve missed the postseason and, over that span, they’ve won the Super Bowl three separate times.
That, of course, was with Tom Brady at the helm. With the future Hall-of-Famer gone, the Patriots have struggled to find their footing with Cam Newton. Now they are left in a position eyeing 2021 free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft where the roster needs a massive overhaul, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
New England will certainly get some help with the return of Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung to the defense after they opted-out of the 2020 season. However, more reinforcements are needed if Bill Belichick is going to get the Patriots back to the playoffs. So let’s see what kind of work they can do in this 7-round 2021 NFL mock draft for the Pats.
Note: This mock draft was simulated using The Draft Network Mock Draft Machine.
7-round mock draft for the New England Patriots in December
The New England Patriots would love for one of the top four quarterbacks in the draft to fall to them in the middle of the first round but, in this simulation, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance were all off the board. And though they could’ve looked at Mac Jones, Florida tight end Kyle Pitts sitting there was too enticing to pass up.
One of the biggest issues facing the offense right now is the distinct lack of weaponry in the offense. Jakobi Meyers has enjoyed some fine moments throughout the year but he’s not been consistent. Elsewhere, none of the wide receivers or tight ends have emerged as reliable pass-catching options.
Pitts immediately solves that issue and automatically gives the Patriots a matchup win when he’s on the field. The Florida product has a tremendous blend of size, speed an agility that make him virtually unguardable because linebackers aren’t quick enough to keep up while safeties and cornerbacks can’t physically contain him.
Belichick and Josh McDaniels, assuming the latter stays in New England, have long utilized the tight ends as a key part of the offense. Pitts could be the next great in that capacity as an absolute stud who becomes an immediate focal point of the offense.
Admittedly, one of the reasons I felt comfortable taking Pitts over Mac Jones in the first round was the fact that The Draft Network’s rankings for the simulation had the Alabama quarterback in a spot where he would most likely be available in the second round. While that may not be the reality of the situation in April, it was something to take advantage of here.
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Newton hit the ground running in New England and looked as if he might be the answer to their hole at quarterback with Brady’s departure. As the season has progressed, however, that’s become untrue. His lack of consistency, accuracy and general prowess as a thrower has been alarming and hasn’t done the offense any favors.
Jones is a fast riser in the 2021 NFL Draft class and for good reason. He came into this season at Alabama as a first-year starter following Tua Tagovailoa’s departure and there were questions about his effectiveness. But now he may be in line to win the Heisman Trophy after a monster season.
In regards to his NFL future, Jones has the goods to deliver. He doesn’t have the biggest arm but his deep-ball accuracy is second to none in college football right now. Moreover, his decision-making has been terrific as he rarely puts his team and teammates in bad spots. With some development and more experience, he looks the part of a long-time NFL starter.
Jaylen Twyman made the decision to opt-out of the 2020 college season, which hurt his draft stock a bit. But the Pitt product’s potential is quite high. His ability as an interior pass-rusher is undeniable. He needs to work on his development in terms of being a nuanced rusher with a variety of moves but the baseline is outstanding, especially as a third-round pick. The Patriots need a player who can potentially affect games the way Twyman is capable of.
Back to the offense we go and we’re getting Mac Jones another weapon to look for here. Elijah Moore is a bit undersized at 5-9, 184 pounds but we’ve seen how New England utilizes guys in the slot. And there are few players in the country who have been more effective in that role than Moore. He has serviceable speed but is also a great route-runner with solid hands. Put him in a Patriots offense with a functional quarterback and he could be another go-to option.
The Patriots offensive line has been an issue this season, part of which is due to Marcus Cannon opting-out and also to injuries to the likes of Isaiah Wynn. But even then, the line could use some more quality bodies.
Brady Christensen isn’t a road-grader or an A-plus athlete but he’s a well-versed player from his time at BYU with the ability to hold his own in both capacities. He may not be an immediate starter for the Pats but he’s a player who could provide immediate quality depth and plug in without any true worries.
If Rashad Weaver was simply a better overall athlete, he would likely be a top-50 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With his limitations in that department, however, he drops to the end of the fourth round. But with that, the Patriots get a player who can help them at defensive end. The Pitt product has a strong arsenal of pass-rush moves and plays with a great football IQ. Put him in a Bill Belichick-coached defense and there will be a path to success.
Late in the NFL Draft, the Patriots have traditionally been great at identifying prospects who don’t necessarily fit a traditional mold for the position and are thus being undervalued for what they offer. That description fits Ar’Darius Washington perfectly.
At only 5-8, 179 pounds, Washington is substantially smaller than a traditional safety. However, he plays the position much bigger than he’s listed with plenty of pop in his game. Moreover, while he does need to be coached on his eye discipline, he has the athleticism to make plays and be a valuable piece on defense but, at the very least, a strong special teams player.
We’re not done with the offense just yet as the Patriots simply need as many quality options in the passing game as they can get their hands on. So they look to UNC’s Dyami Brown here. While not a nuanced route-runner, Brown is an effective downfield threat with the ability to take the top off of a defense and break off big plays. New England doesn’t have that consistently on the roster right now, so Brown could be a huge asset as a vertical threat.
Admittedly, there’s a good chance we don’t see Palaie Gaoteote IV in the 2021 NFL Draft. He made the decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal early in December, which seemingly indicates his plans to play another year of college football. But if he were to declare, he could be a great late-round pickup. He’s a highly explosive player who needs to be honed in and coached discipline in his angles and moments to attack but that’s the type of coachable asset you want in the sixth round.
Last but not least, we have another addition to the offensive line. It remains to be seen if the Patriots will keep Joe Thuney after slapping the franchise tag on him this season and Robert Hainsey wouldn’t be a replacement. He would, however, give the team depth where they need it.
Hainsey has performed well at Notre Dame and has received some of the best college coaching possible at the position. While he needs to get into an NFL strength and conditioning program, he has upside to be a potential backup guard at the next level.