Round 1 of the NFL draft has come and gone and the Patriots selected wide receiver N'Keal Harry out of Arizona State with pick No. 32 overall.
Friday night figures to be a busy one for the Patriots, as they have five selections overall (two in Round 2 and three in Round 3). It would not be a surprise to see them trade a pick or two, but they also will get at least a few more impact players.
Here are 10 players the team will be monitoring.
QB Will Grier, West Virginia — The West Virginia quarterback has been connected to the Patriots a bunch, including some saying he could have been selected No. 32 overall. If the team really does like him, he would be a potential option with their first second-round pick (No. 56 overall).
S Nasir Adderley, Delaware — With Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung and Duron Harmon all getting up there in age, the Patriots may need to start thinking of the future at the position given its importance. Adderley is one of the best safeties in the entire draft and could be a Round 2 target.
DE Chase Winovich, Michigan — The edge rusher out of Michigan has had great back-to-back years and is another player who has been mocked to the Patriots a bunch. It's not clear exactly where he will go, but he will surely hear his name called Friday night.
DE Zach Allen, Boston College — Allen is a versatile defensive end, who can play both inside and out, which is something Bill Belichick and the Patriots love. With many of the top defensive tackles off the board, the Patriots may look to go defensive end in Round 2 as they look to replace the production of Trey Flowers.
S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida — Gardner-Johnson may be the closest player in the draft to Chung, and with him being 31 years old, it's becoming time to start thinking about his replacement. According to Pro Football Focus, he led all secondary players with 22 coverage stops last season.
WR Andy Isabella, UMass — Even though the Patriots selected Harry in Round 1, Isabella still is an option because they aren't the same type of receiver. Isabella likely wouldn't be a Round 2 option for them, but if he's around in Round 3, keep an eye on him.
S Taylor Rapp, Washington — Rapp was one of the most dependable safeties in the country last year, missing just two tackles the entire season. Safety does appear to be a position of need in this draft and if the Patriots can get good value on him, we wouldn't be shocked to see him selected.
QB Ryan Finley, NC State — The NC State product is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the draft and likely would be a third-round target. He doesn't have the same upside as Grier or even Drew Lock, but Finley does check off many of the boxes the Patriots look for.
OL Cody Ford, Oklahoma — Some thought the Patriots were targeting Kaleb McGary at the end of Round 1 and that is why Atlanta moved ahead of them to take him. If they were interested in the tackle, Ford might be a fall-back option on Day 2.
DL Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois — Almost all of the top defensive tackles are now off the board, so if the Patriots want to address this position on Day 2, Saunders appears to be the best one available.
