Draft Day has finally arrived. The 2022 NFL Draft begins with the first round Thursday night at 8 p.m.
The Patriots hold the 21st overall pick. So, what will they do with it? Let's take a look at what the experts think with our final mock draft roundup.
Mel Kiper, ESPN: Daxton Hill, DB, Michigan
Todd McShay, ESPN: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Mike Reiss, ESPN: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Peter Schrager, NFL.com: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com: Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Chris Scheim, WEEI: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Tim Kelly, Audacy Sports: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Matthew Fairburn, The Athletic: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Danny Kelly, The Ringer: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Cris Collinsworth, Pro Football Focus: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Steve Serby, New York Post: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Ben Volin, Boston Globe: Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald: Zion Johnson, G/C, Boston College
Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston: Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah
Ryan Spagnoli, Pats Pulpit: Quay Walker, LB, Georgia (trade down to 31)
Evan Lazar, CLNS Media: Kyler Gordon, CB, Washington (trade down to 32)
What really stands out the most here is that the overwhelming majority think the Patriots are going defense. Of the 21 we looked at, 19 have the Patriots drafting a defensive player. The only two that went offense both went with BC lineman Zion Johnson.
Breaking it down by position, 12 of 21 have the Patriots going linebacker, seven are taking a defensive back, and then the two on offensive line.
The most popular pick by far is Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd. Here is the full breakdown by player:
9- Devin Lloyd
3- Quay Walker
2- Trent McDuffie
2- Andrew Booth Jr.
2- Zion Johnson
1- Daxton Hill
1- Kaiir Elam
1- Kyler Gordon
It's also interesting to note that one of the players who had been a mock draft darling among Patriots fans and analysts -- Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean -- is now nowhere to be found among these 21 mocks, with teammate Quay Walker seemingly making a late surge ahead of him in the eyes of some.
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