Jones & mego with arcand: Ownership is making the pick at #3
The rumor mill is a-churnin' fast as ever as we hit the 72-hour mark until the NFL Draft.
We've heard that the Patriots will stick and pick a quarterback, they'll listen to trade calls for No. 3 overall, ownership is hands-off the football operation, and Jonathan Kraft is "heavily involved" in the decision-making.
Ahh, draft season. What a time.
Let's cut to the chase. Here's our fourth and final WEEI.com Mock Draft of the offseason -- Draft Week edition:
Round 1, Pick 3: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
At this point, we know all we need to know about UNC’s Drake Maye. But for those who don’t, here’s the CliffsNotes:
6-foot-4, 223 pounds. 62 touchdown passes over his last two seasons with the Tarheels. Rocket arm, athletic. High ceiling, low floor.
Here’s what Patriots head coach said at the NFL Owner’s Meetings about his potential franchise quarterback:
“Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine,” he said. “He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability. Also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that. In saying that, when we’re trying to put together this roster, I know a lot of people look at the ceiling. But you also have to look at how low is the floor. I would say a guy like Drake Maye – he has a lot of room to grow. He’s a young guy. Honestly, he hasn’t played football nearly as much as these other guys. So that’s definitely something we’ve looked at, but he’s definitely going to develop.”
As Mayo explains, Maye will likely need some time to develop as both his footwork and his decision-making can sometimes be a question mark. Luckily the 21-year-old will be able to sit behind and learn from veteran journeyman quarterback Jacoby Brissett and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt – whose West Coast-adjacent offense puts footwork at a premium.
TRADE! – Patriots trade Round 2, Pick No. 34 to Philadelphia Eagles for WR A.J. Brown
Trade comp: Patriots send pick No. 34 to Eagles for WR A.J. Brown
Let’s get nuts.
After failing to trade into the back end of the first round for a high-upside rookie wide receiver, New England goes the veteran pass catcher route in Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown.
Brown (6-foot-1, 226 pounds) was drafted by the Titans in the second round of the 2019 draft and was traded to the Eagles three seasons later for a first-round pick and a third-round pick. He signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension upon arrival.
Since joining the Eagles, Brown has put up two 88+ reception, 1,400+ yard, seven-touchdown seasons and has been named a second-team All-Pro twice.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, not only has Philadelphia received trade calls for the wide receiver this offseason, but the Patriots have been among the teams calling. While Breer added that the Eagles they’ve “shut them all down”, referring to the trade inquiries, perhaps they’d pounce on pick No. 34 if it’s dangled in front of them.
In this case, they do, and New England is able to pair Brown with their young quarterback Drake Maye. He fills the X-receiver role that Eliot Wolf touted last week as a team need, and that Van Pelt heavily relies on in his offense (i.e. Amari Cooper).
TRADE UP! – Round 2, Pick 47 (via Giants): OT Patrick Paul, Houston
Trade comp: Patriots receive pick No. 47, Giants receive pick No. 68, pick No. 137, a 2025 third-round pick
After filling two of their top three needs (QB & WR) with their first two picks, the Patriots trade up 21 spots back into the second round to nab their third need, offensive tackle.
Houston’s Patrick Paul is a monster of a human being standing at 6-foot-7, 333 pounds. In 2023, the former Cougar allowed just six hurries, one QB hit, and zero sacks. Like Maye, he has some footwork issues that will need to be worked out, but it sounds like the Patriots are comfortable starting the season with free-agent addition Chukwuma Okorafor at left tackle for the time being.
Round 4, Pick 103: CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
After drafting defenders in the first three rounds of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Patriots wait until round four to open those floodgates in 2024.
Khyree Jackson played just one season at Oregon after transferring from Alabama, and made it well worth his while. The 6-foot-4 boundary corner led the Ducks in interceptions (3) while adding seven pass breakups, 34 tackles, five TFL’s, and two sacks.
The Patriots have a need on the boundary opposite Christian Gonzalez, and while Jackson is raw (just 13 collegiate starts) his size and physicality are enough to take a shot on in round four.
TRADE DOWN! – Round 6, Pick 180
Trade comp: Patriots send pick No. 180 to the New Orleans Saints for pick No. 190 and pick No. 239
Round 6, Pick 190 (via Saints): RB Dylan Laube, UNH
After trading up earlier in the draft, New England trades back to retain some capital while landing Dylan Laube in a falling 2024 running back class.
Laube shined over the last two seasons for the New Hampshire Wildcats. Not only is he a solid runner (2,678 yards, 4.8 YPC over five seasons), but the 5-foot-10 back also hauled in 196 passes for 1,743 yards and 13 touchdowns – including 68 for 699 and seven scores in 2023.
The UNH alum adds a pass-catching element to a Patriots backfield that currently consists of Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, JaMycal Hasty, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Round 6, Pick 193 (via Jaguars, Mac Jones): TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
Adding depth behind Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper, La’Michael Pettway, and newly signed tight end Mitchell Wilcox, the Patriots select Tanner McLachlan with their second sixth-rounder.
McLachlan, a former wide receiver, transferred from Southern Utah to Arizona as a walk-on in 2022 and wound up breaking Rob Gronkowski’s record for most receptions in school history with 79. He’s on the older side as a prospect at age 25, but is also on the faster side among tight ends with a 4.61-second 40-yard dash. Worth a flier.
Round 7, Pick 231 (via Bears, N’Keal Harry): WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
At this point, the Patriots have fixed their wide receiver room after trading for A.J. Brown and signing Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn during free agency – but they should still take a swing at a developmental pass catcher.
Bub Means stands at 6-foot-1, 212 pounds, and has both the size and speed to be able to make an impact at the next level. He hauled in 41 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns in his final season with the Panthers.
While Means is a raw prospect, it’s worth noting that Patriots assistant wide receivers coach Tiquan Underwood was his wide receiver coach and passing game coordinator at Pitt over the last two seasons. There’s a connection there if the shoe fits New England’s draft wants and needs.
Round 7, Pick 239 (via Saints): K Joshua Karty, Stanford
Rounding out their first non-Belichick-run NFL Draft in over two decades, the Patriots select Stanford kicker Joshua Karty to light a fire under Chad Ryland’s you-know-what.
Karty hit 23 of 27 of his field goal attempts for the Cardinal in 2023 with a long of 56. In 2022, he hit a career-long from 61 while also going a perfect 18-18.
Patriots assistant special teams coach Tom Quinn was reportedly in attendance at Stanford’s Pro Day in March. Perhaps Karty was the season why.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!