We continue on with our 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, as we are now on to pick #23 overall. Let’s review what’s happened with the last five selections.
18. Seattle Seahawks - Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame
19. Dallas Cowboys - Courtland Sutton, WR, Southern Methodist
20. Detroit Lions - Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
21. Cincinnati Bengals (from Buffalo Bills) - Connor Williams, OT, Texas
22. Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs) - Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State
Now, we have the final pick in the first round that does not belong to its original owner. Yes, this pick now belongs to the New England Patriots, who received this pick from the Los Angeles Rams in the deal that sent wide receiver Brandin Cooks to the west coast. Let’s take a look at the NFL’s best team.
New England Patriots
2017 record: 13-3 (1st place, AFC East)
Offseason acquisitions
OL Troy Bowanko (free agent signing), DE Adrian Clayborn (free agent signing), RB Jeremy Hill (free agent signing), WR Jordan Matthews (free agent signing), CB Jason McCourty (acquired via trade with Cleveland), TE Troy Niklas (free agent signing), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (acquired via trade with Oakland), DT Danny Shelton (acquired via trade with Cleveland), OL Matt Tobin (free agent signing)
Offseason losses
WR Danny Amendola (signed with Miami), CB Johnson Bademosi (signed with Houston), CB Malcolm Butler (signed with Tennessee), WR Brandin Cooks (traded to Los Angeles Rams), OL Cameron Fleming (signed with Dallas), RB Dion Lewis (signed with Tennessee), LB Shea McClellin (released), OT Nate Solder (signed with New York Giants)
Team needs
Cornerback - The biggest weakness the Patriots have on paper might be the defensive backfield. After the bizarre saga of Malcolm Butler ended with him skipping town, they need some help. They acquired Jason McCourty this offseason, but there isn’t a whole lot behind him.
Defensive line - The Patriots’ defense was near the bottom of most categories last season, at least as far as yardage was concerned. A lot of that starts up front, where the defensive line is certainly not a strong point. They could use help both on the edge and on the inside, and they could find either here.
Offensive tackle - One of the bigger losses the Patriots suffered this offseason was left tackle Nate Solder, who made his way to the New York Giants. They have LaAdrian Waddle on the roster, who was Solder’s backup, but they can’t possibly see him as a long-term answer, I don’t think.
Quarterback - You know, Tom Brady is going to eventually retire someday. Eventually. Maybe. Hell, I don’t know. But the Patriots have recently gotten into the habit of trading away backup quarterbacks (see also: Garoppolo, Jimmy and Brissett, Jacoby). Right now, all the Patriots have behind Brady is Brian Hoyer, which is. . .well, it’s not great, Bob.
Options
Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma - As we’ve said many times in this space before, a lot of people are fixated on Brown’s performance at the Scouting Combine. However, at some point you have to pay attention to the tape, and Brown’s tape is awfully impressive no matter how you slice it. The Patriots have a need at offensive tackle, and if anyone can get the best out of Brown, it would be Bill Belichick and company.
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida - We’ve seen a few defensive tackles come off of the board thus far, and Bryan is the next one on the list. The Patriots certainly need help in the interior, and Bryan is the best player left at the position with Vea, Payne, and Hurst already having their names called.
Marcus Davenport, DE, Texas-San Antonio - Davenport is a player that is definitely going to need some time to develop, as he played his college ball at a smaller school. Still, he has as much physical talent as any other defensive end in this year’s draft.
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado - Oliver is next on the board as far as corners are concerned, at least in my view. He’s a big, rangy type of corner that seems to be well-suited for playing press coverage, and certainly has the talent to develop into a top-notch corner.
Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State - We’ve already seen five quarterbacks come off the board in this first round, and the popular wisdom is that the Patriots traded for an extra first round pick so that they could acquire one in some way. Since there are no trades in our mock, however, Rudolph is the next quarterback on the board. He’s no slouch, but is he worthy of being a first round pick, or would the Patriots try to get him near the top of Round 2 with the pick they got from San Francisco in the Garoppolo trade?
The rest of the picks from here on out belong to the teams that earned them during the season. Tomorrow, the Carolina Panthers will be on the clock with the 24th overall pick.
Poll
With the twenty-third pick in the 2018 Daily Norseman Community Mock Draft, the New England Patriots (should) select ____________
This poll is closed
-
22%
Orlando Brown, OT, Oklahoma
-
10%
Taven Bryan, DT, Florida
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19%
Marcus Davenport, DE, UT-SA
-
28%
Isaiah Oliver, CB, Colorado
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17%
Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State