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Set your mock drafts accordingly, Patriots fans.
On a conference call with media members, NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah answered a few Patriots-related questions, including which wide receiver he might be tempted to take at No. 14 (Jordan Addison) and whether a tight end like Dalton Kincaid would make sense at that spot if the team didn't trade down.
But if you want a quick list of the players who just look and sound like New England Patriots, Jeremiah gave five names following a question from the Boston Herald's Karen Guregian. Here they are:
Peter Skoronski, OT (Northwestern)
One of the top three offensive line prospects in the draft, Skoronski might be moved to guard due to his shorter-than-average arms.
But if the Patriots feel comfortable with him at tackle, he could be an immediate starter on either the left or right side, boasting a strong frame and better quickness than you'd expect. He might not be a superstar, but he'll get the job down as a pass and run blocker to help New England win in the trenches.
Devon Witherspoon, CB (Illinois)
There are other cornerbacks who might fit the "shutdown/man-to-man" stereotype people would love for the Patriots better than Witherspoon. But none of them are better players than he is.
Witherspoon plays with tremendous energy, always seems to be around the football (three INTs, 14 PBUs last season) and hits like a guided missile, which you wouldn't expect from a 6-1, 180-ish-pound guy.
He should be gone by No. 14. But if he's not, New England should sprint to the podium with that pick.
Keion White, EDGE (Georgia Tech)
A former tight end, the 6-5, 280-pound defensive end boasts big-time athleticism and the versatility to play inside and out -- think a younger, more freakish Deatrich Wise Jr. He consistently wrecked shop at the Senior Bowl, which you can bet DeMarcus Covington (who was in attendance) and the Patriots will love.
Though he's thought of as mostly a developmental pass-rusher at this point, his size and raw ability should help him get on the field on early downs against the run as well as off the edge on passing downs. Him and Christian Barmore together up front could be terrifying in a year or two.
Lukas Van Ness, EDGE (Iowa)
Known for his strength, Van Ness notched 13.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss with the Hawkeyes, even giving potential top-10 picks Skoronski and Paris Johnson Jr. problems off the edge when Iowa played Ohio State. He also blocked two kicks in his college career, which is sure to make the Patriots swoon.
Bill Belichick will be able to get any insights he wants about Van Ness from old buddy Kirk Ferentz down at Iowa. We'll see if he likes what he sees enough to grab the young edge at No. 14. Van Ness won't last much longer than that.
Cody Mauch, OL (North Dakota State)
The guy just looks like a rough-riding NFL offensive lineman. No other explanation needed.
Mauch plays with ferocity in the run game, though scouts would like to see him improve his footwork in the passing game. He, like Skoronski, also doesn't have ideal arm length for tackle, which could slide him inside.
If New England wanted some offensive line depth later in the first round or early in the second, though, you can do a lot worse than Mauch, who auditioned at every position down in Mobile for the Senior Bowl.
