When it comes to the Patriots at No. 15 overall in the NFL Draft, many are pointing towards offensive players -- quarterback and wide receiver in particular.
But, appearing on Dale & Keefe Thursday, NFL Media's Lance Zierlein believes a pass rusher could be what's available at No. 15.
“I think more than likely the positions you’re talking about with the Patriots draft, you’d have to move up a little bit for your quarterback or your wide receiver," he said. "I don’t see the Patriots trading up for a wide receiver. It definitely doesn’t show up in their draft history under Bill Belichick.
"I would say more than likely where you’re drafting, pass rush, that is where the pass rushers are going to start coming off the board. There’s some high upside, low floor guys. Some guys that really have some athletic talent that I think Bill Belichick is going to like there in the middle of the first, possibly even an outside shot at a corner if that is something he wanted. … Offensive line and pass rush is where the middle of the first round is where you should see a run start somewhere around there on those positions.”
Some pass rushers who could be available include Micah Parsons (Penn State),Greg Rousseau (Miami), Kwity Paye (Michigan), Jaelan Phillips (Miami) and Ronnie Perkins (Oklahoma).
Zierlein believes there's no shot of Trey Lance or Jaylen Waddle falling to No. 15.
“Trey Lance will probably be gone in the top eight at the latest, and Jaylen Waddle could be gone by six," he said. "Jaylen is probably going to slide up the board. Believe it or not, there’s an outside shot DeVonta Smith is the third wide receiver off the board, which is crazy to me. That’s how good these three wide receivers are."
This is the highest the Patriots have selected since 2008.
