New England Patriots: 2017 NFL Draft Preview

Tarell Basham

Even though they’re without a pick until the third-round there are still quality players available to help the Patriots win in 2017. Don’t forget they pick twice in the third at 72 & 96.

Bill Belichick knows the Tom Brady days are coming to an end soon which is why he made several deals to mortgage the future including acquiring WR Brandin Cooks for their first-round pick. Unless they deal cornerback Malcolm Butler the Patriots won’t be on the clock until late Friday night, but somehow I think their fans will be just fine with that.

Key additions

  • CB Stephon Gilmore
  • DE Kony Ealy
  • DE Lawrence Guy
  • RB Rex Burkhead
  • RB Mike Gillislee
  • TE Dwayne Allen
  • WR Brandin Cooks

Key subtractions

  • CB Logan Ryan
  • DE Chris Long
  • DE Jabaal Sheard
  • OT Sebastian Vollmer
  • RB LeGarrette Blount
  • TE Martellus Bennett

Priority needs (Offense)

RB…Even though the Patriots added Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee to the rotation, they still lack a true power player like Blount and all he did was rush for 18 scores last season.

TE…Rob Gronkowski is elite as they come and he’s so important to their attack that it took a miracle comeback win in the Super Bowl for us to forget how much they missed him. If anything happens to him again the Pats should have a better backup plan than Dwayne Allen.

WR…I give them credit for finally providing Brady with a true downfield threat (Brandin Cooks) for the first time since the Randy Moss days. But with their top three receivers entering free agency after the season and with two of them in their 30s look for them to draft the next Julian Edelman or Wes Welker from this class. Without a pick until the third-round maybe they get lucky and grab Cooper Kupp at 72. Other players available later that fit the Patriots mold include Taywan Taylor, Ryan Switzer and Austin Carr.

Priority needs (Defense)

DE/OLB…Belichick took a low-risk deal to land Kony Ealy from Carolina because he knows they need to add more edge rushers. He’ll have a plethora of options to choose from by time his team starts making picks in the third-round.

CB…The Malcolm Butler situation might be resolved by draft night, but even if it isn’t the Patriots will be looking for more corners.

Final analysis

Even though they’re without a pick until the third-round there are still quality players available to help the Patriots win in 2017. Don’t forget they pick twice in the third at 72 & 96.

Top third-round options

  • DE Tarell Basham
  • DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
  • DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
  • OLB Derek Rivers
  • OLB Tim Williams
  • RB James Conner
  • RB D’Onta Foreman
  • RB Samaje Perine
  • TE Jake Butt
  • TE Bucky Hodges
  • WR Cooper Kupp
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