28. New England Patriots (via New Orleans Saints): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Trade: New Orleans Saints trade No. 28 to the New England Patriots for No. 46 overall (Round 2) and No. 96 overall (Round 3), and a 2022 second-round pick
This offseason, the New England Patriots have shown us one thing — they’re serious about getting better. Bill Belichick went all-in on free agency and there’s no reason to think he won’t do the same in the draft. That’s why he makes a splash here by jumping back into the first round of the draft and does so in a trade with the New Orleans Saints.
The Pats give up a bit as they send No. 46 and No. 96 to the Saints in this draft, but also a second-round pick next year. However, it’s worth it to them to land Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out of Notre Dame. A stud linebacker, he can play in a traditional role but also can drop back in coverage as a safety. Adding him with Kyle Dugger, who can also move around, give the Pats two weapons that can destroy an offense’s game plan.
For New Orleans, the move helps them out quite a bit as well. Due to salary cap restrictions, they had to make some cuts this offseason and that means they can use an influx of you (and affordable) talent. Adding two extra picks in day two this year and one more in 2022 should help them reload their roster while not putting them in any worse of a cap situation.