The 2022 NFL Draft is now just days away.
All the mock drafts and prospect analysis paralysis is nearly behind us.
It’s time for the teams to actually make picks and put a value on arguably the most unpredictable, dubious draft class in years.
From an actual Patriots perspective, Bill Belichick sits at No. 21 overall in the first round with the uncertainty of 20 extremely unknown picks ahead of him. And plenty a projection has Belichick and Co. possibly trading out down and out of a spot that may not offer representative value.
Where’s the fun in that?
From a fan perspective, the NFL Draft should be about dreams of elite talent at a position of need dropping to your favorite team.
History shows that Pro Bowlers and superstar players fall to 21 or lower on an annual basis. Anything is possible.
So if we’re going to dream, why not dream big? No trades down, no settling for a trustworthy guard here. Nope, this is just semi-realistically hoping for a Patriots’ draft selection at No. 21 overall (or higher, dreaming of a trade up is still allowed in Patriot Nation!) that will inject youthful energy and life into the global collective of Patriots fans in this Thursday night’s draft.
So here are five somewhat hopeful, impactful fun first-round draft fits for the Patriots that would bring excitement to New England this optimistic April!
1 – Alabama WR Jameson Williams: We’ve been banging this drum for months. Williams is an elite playmaker with elite speed from the Nick Saban pipeline program of Alabama that’s worked out pretty well for the Patriots in recent years. Sure, he has a torn ACL. But he’s “ahead of schedule” and even waiting a bit for him to find his stride the upside of Williams’ potential should be the stuff of Mac Jones’ own dreams. Maybe he’ll be gone by the time the rival Jets are done picking at No. 10. But maybe not. Hey, if Randy Moss can fall to the 21st pick and Justin Jefferson can be had at No. 22, why can’t we hold out hope that a one-year-wonder with a torn ACL might slip down the board as well?
2 – USC WR Drake London: Though a pretty different kind of player, London would be a fun second-best Patriots option at wide receiver. A former basketball player, his hands, body positioning and playmaking are elite. He may not big the big-play machine of a guy like Williams, but London looks like the kind of Belichick get-open-and-catch-the-football target who could have an elite career in the NFL. Depending on when and how the expected first-round run on wide receivers plays out, London would be an enticing option for a team with an accurate your quarterback like Jones.
3 – Florida State EDGE Jermaine Johnson: Johnson transferred from Georgia and had a major breakout season for the Seminoles. He’s pretty much the prototype in terms of size and athleticism of a modern NFL pass rusher. He matches that with a relentless play style and motor. When it’s all said and done it’s not crazy to think Johnson might be the best pass rusher to come from this draft class. Football Morning In America actually had him lasting to the 20s in its latest mock draft. The idea of Johnson pairing up with Matt Judon to get after opposing QBs might help the Patriots overcome a lack of high-end coverage options in the back end. If you can’t get a passing game playmaker on the offense side of the ball, getting one on defense might be the next best thing.
4 – LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.: Once seen as arguably the best all-around athlete in college football as a freshman, Stingley’s stock took a bit of a hit over the last couple years through injury, COVID and lackluster play. Still, he’s one of the best all-around athletes in this year’s draft class. The Patriots certainly need a cornerback. Stingley has as much upside at the position as any option on the board, maybe as much as any player at any position. How far will Stingley slip? That’s the only question New England should have. Because if he makes it into range for a defensive-minded, CB-needy Belichick, the Patriots should pounce and not think twice.
5 – Northern Iowa T Trevor Penning: An offensive lineman on a list of dream Patriots fits? Yes! Penning isn’t just some lineman. He’s an elite athlete – 6-7, 325 running a 4.89 40 who squats 625 pounds and banged out 28 reps at 225 – with a work ethic and motor to match. Penning also played, admittedly at a lower competition level, with a mean streak in college. He may be “just a lineman,” but his selection would be swinging for the proverbial fences at the key left tackle spot. If Penning hits his potential he’d be an elite level player on Jones’ blindside for years to come. He also seems like the kind of guy who’d be fun to watch develop because he declares that he looks to embarrass the guy he’s playing against on every snap with “no mercy.” Sounds good.