The NFL draft is exactly a week away and really anything can happen when it comes to the Patriots.
With four picks in the top 63 overall, Bill Belichick has the ability to move anywhere on the board he wants. He can trade up to the top of the first round, he could trade pick to acquire more middle-round picks, or he could pick four quality players in the first two rounds with his own selections.
Assuming all picks are made, here's how we see the draft shaking out for the Patriots as of now.
Assuming all picks are made, here's how we see the draft shaking out for the Patriots as of now. (Here is version 1.0)
Round 1 (No. 23 overall): Hayden Hurst, TE, South Carolina
Belichick has spent a good amount of time with Hurst, who is one of the oldest players coming out in the entire draft as he tried professional baseball before playing at South Carolina. Regardless of Rob Gronkowski's status for 2018, the Patriots need to start thinking about the future at the position and Hurst is arguably the best tight end in the entire draft.
Round 1 (No. 31 overall): Lorenzo Carter, OLB, Georgia
New England needs to get more athletic at this position and Carter is that guy. He can play all over the defense and Belichick got a good look at him at Georgia's pro day. As a senior last fall, he was an on-ball linebacker, but that doesn't mean it's what he has to be with the Patriots. He has the versatility to play anywhere.
Round 2 (No. 43 overall): Sam Hubbard, DE, Ohio State
One of his biggest attributes is his ability to play hard on every play, which obviously would stand out to Belichick and the Patriots. At Ohio State, he showed well playing strong-side defensive end in the 4-3 defense. Also, he had a scholarship to play lacrosse at Notre Dame until Urban Meyer swooped in and convinced him to play football at OSU.
Round 2 (No. 63 overall): Brian O'Neill, OT, Pittsburgh
The Patriots obviously need an offensive tackle, but after looking more into the prospects, the drop off is not that significant between selecting one at the end of the first round and in the second round. O'Neill is almost as talented as Kolton Miller, who many project the team to select in the first round. Also, keep in mind the Patriots still have 2017 third-round pick Tony Garcia, so the need isn't as glaring as some may think.
Round 3 (No. 95 overall): Luke Falk, QB, Washington State
We had Falk projected here in our last mock draft and we're sticking with it, especially after it was reported the Patriots privately worked him out. We just don't see them using one of their top picks on a QB, especially after having a good amount of success with finding good quarterbacks in the middle rounds in recent years.
Round 6 (No. 198 overall): Akrum Wadley, RB, Iowa
There are a ton of talented running backs in the draft and it feels like the Patriots could still get good value selecting one in the later rounds. He met with New England at the combine and his college coach was Kirk Ferentz, who Belichick has a great relationship with.
Round 6 (No. 210 overall): Dorian O'Daniel, DE, Clemson
The Patriots could use all the edge rushers they can get, so maybe it is worth taking a flier on one in the later rounds of the draft. O'Daniel was a team captain at Clemson, which is something the Patriots have valued over the years.
Round 7 (No. 219 overall): Jamil Demby, OL, Maine
Belichick praised the players from New England schools at his pre-draft press conference, so why not take a shot at an interior lineman with their last pick?
