Now that the Super Bowl’s over, it’s officially Mock Draft SZN for the NFL community.
For the latest on the Patriots, check out WEEI and Audacy's "1st and Foxborough."
This Tuesday, we’re kicking off a series of mock drafts that will take us up to Draft Day itself in April as we try to guess who the newest New England Patriots will be. Not every mock will have the same conditions — some will have trades and some won’t, for example. We also will try to avoid duplicating picks to keep things interesting.
Most importantly, probably none of them will be accurate because the Patriots are just going to trade down in the first round and take random dudes no one expects them to take anyway.
Let’s start off simple: a three-round mock draft covering just picks No. 14, 46 and 76 for the Patriots on PFF's Mock Draft Simulator. No trades. Just three picks straight up.
Let’s get weird.
14. Zay Flowers, WR (Boston College)
In this simulation, two tackles (Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skoronski) were off the board, leaving just Georgia’s Broderick Jones of the Big 3 OTs. Jones has immense potential, but something tells me the relative lack of experience could push the Patriots off of him in the first round.
Quentin Richardson, the receiver with arguably the most upside in the draft, was also taken a few picks earlier. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson was taken 13th overall as well. (Don't ask me if I would've taken him if he'd fallen one more spot...)
The choice was a tough one between Iowa edge defender Lukas Van Ness, who showed out against elite competition, and Flowers. Edge is ultimately a deep position in this draft, though, and it’s not as important as finding a dynamic receiver for this team.
The Patriots were chomping at the bit to have Flowers on their Shrine Bowl roster, and it’s not hard to see why. The BC playmaker is experienced, explosive, can run (and get open on) every route in the book and knows how to produce when everyone’s gunning for him.
If you feel like Flowers' lack of "X" receiver size (5-9, 183 pounds) makes him a non-starter at No. 14, don't forget Jahan Dotson (5-11, 184 pounds) went 16th overall to the Commanders last year. Flowers is better, too. Just ask fellow short king Steve Smith Sr.
He might end up being the best receiver from this class when he’s all said and done, especially if he lands in New England. Once he's done with the NFL Combine, any idea of him going in the second round is probably going to be toast. In fact, seeing him in play at No. 14 might not be nearly the reach it looks like at the moment.
46. Eli Ricks, CB (Alabama)
Kelee Ringo would’ve been great here, but Ricks might be one of the next best things in terms of fit and upside.
Like Jack Jones, Ricks is instinctive and aggressive, playing physically at the line of scrimmage and always looking for the football. Unlike Jones, Ricks is 6-2 and 190 pounds — almost prototypical size for a press-man corner. Being an Alabama corner, though, you know Ricks can play any scheme Belichick would want him to.
One of the only knocks on Ricks is his lack of consistent availability. He struggled with injuries and never played 10 games in a year, missing some time after transferring to Alabama in 2022 as well.
But if you’re concerned about his production (just 10 pass breakups and five career INTs), it wasn't because his ball skills were lacking. He just wasn't getting much action on his side, and the targets he did see didn't do much of anything (31% completion percentage allowed).
The Patriots need good corners who can step in and contribute right away in this division. Ricks fits the ball and then some.
76. Isaiah Foskey, ED/OLB (Notre Dame)
Who?
Maybe the next Matthew Judon, that’s who.
Foskey still has some work to do as a pass-rusher in terms of developing a full arsenal of moves. But he’s got the perfect size and build for an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense and packs a wallop at the point of attack. Don’t get caught flat-footed when he’s on the bull rush.
It’s hard to argue with his production (10+ sacks in his last two seasons) and his intangibles as a team captain for the Fighting Irish. Throw in the fact that Foskey blocked four punts in his career — returning one for a score — and you can almost hear Belichick talking up Foskey’s special teams acumen after taking him 76th overall.
Judon is still under contract for a few more years, and Josh Uche could be a candidate for an extension after proving himself as an lethal situational pass-rusher in 2022. But you can never have enough good edge defenders, and Foskey is the kind of complete prospect that could make a name in New England quickly.
