2021 NFL Mock Draft, 3 Rounds: Chiefs bolster O-line after Super Bowl loss

The New England Patriots need a quarterback but their head coach is trying to outsmart the room. Rather than using an early pick, Bill Belichick seems destined to turn a mid-round pick into a starter or find a free agent that no one saw coming.

That’s what he did in 2020 when he went into the season with Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, and Jarett Stidham on the roster. Both Newton and Hoyer had been starters in the past and Newton was actually the MVP of the 2015 NFL Season. However, Hoyer was never anything more than a stop-gap and Newton has clearly taken a step back due to the beating his body has taken.

Not only that but he never really felt like a great fit in Josh McDaniel’s offense. In the end, Newton appears to be one-and-done, and while they need to replace him, Belichick is unlikely to do so here. For that reason, we have the Pats going after the best player on the board, which is Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

Now for those who want to go down memory lane, this pick isn’t the Pats trying to recreate what they had with Rob Gronkowski. Instead, it’s them taking an elite player who just happens to play tight end.

Pitts has excellent size at 6-foot-6 and 246-pounds and moves incredibly well for such a big guy. He’s also able to haul in any pass like his hands were covered in stickum (but no, they aren’t) and he really blew up in 2020 with 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games. No matter who starter under center, Pitts will give them a reliable playmaker.