Post-Super Bowl Patriots Mock Draft 1.0: New England lands next franchise quarterback at No. 3 overall

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6 rings: A look at Kadlick’s Patriots Mock Draft 1.0, Post-Super Bowl Patspourri

“As we embark on this new era, we look forward to the most anticipated NFL Draft of our tenure. With the third overall pick, we have the highest draft position since the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe with the number one overall selection 31 years ago. The focus this offseason is to acquire the talent and leadership necessary to rebuild a culture committed to winning.”

That’s how ownership, Robert and Jonathan Kraft, spoke about this upcoming offseason in their year-end letter to New England Patriots season ticket members.

Think the draft’s not important? Think again.

So let’s get right into it. Over the course of the next two-plus months, we’ll go through several different draft day scenarios for the Patriots here on WEEI.com as we scout the incoming talent and try to find fits for New England.

Welcome to Mock Draft 1.0 – Post-Super Bowl edition:

Round 1, Pick 3: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

In the very realistic scenario where the Bears (No. 1 overall)  keep Justin Fields and Caleb Williams reunites with Kliff Kingsbury in Washington (No. 2), the Patriots are able to land their quarterback of the future in North Carolina’s Drake Maye at pick No. 3.

Maye, a 6-foot-4 230-pound signal caller with a cannon for an arm, threw for 7,929 yards and 72 touchdowns over two seasons as the Tar Heels starter while adding 1,147 rushing yards and 17 scores on the ground.

His “pass-first, but athletic” play style also fits in well with the West Coast-adjacent system that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt will likely look to run in Foxborough. If he’s there, New England should pounce.

**TRADE** Round 2, Pick 34

TRADE COMP: Packers receive pick No. 34, Patriots receiver pick No. 41, pick No. 91

The Patriots have far more than just a need at quarterback. They trade down seven spots with Green Bay and add an additional third-round pick.

Round 2, Pick 41 (via Packers): OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

After finding their franchise quarterback in the first round, New England brings someone in to help keep him upright in round two.

Arizona’s Jordan Morgan comes in at 6-foot-5, 325 pounds and after tearing his ACL in 2022, came back with a vengeance for the Wildcats in 2023 and earned First-Team All PAC-12 honors. He allowed just three sacks and three quarterback hits in two seasons in Tuscon according to PFF

If the Patriots can lock down Mike Onwenu in free agency to take care of the right side of their offensive line, adding Morgan to the left would give them two solid anchors along the offensive line for years to come.

Round 3, Pick 68: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

More help for the quarterback in round three as the Patriots select who they hope eventually will be Drake Maye’s No. 1 target in Foxborough.

Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk was one of two Huskies pass catchers to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in 2023-24, hauling in 69 passes for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns from Michael Penix Jr. on their way to the National Championship game.

The six-foot-two, 205-pound wide receiver is known for his contested catch ability, giving Maye an immediate target to learn and grow with.

Round 3, Pick 91 (via Packers): CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame

While the Patriots already have a No. 1 cornerback in Christian Gonzalez waiting in the wings, the remainder of the room remains a question mark.

Enter: Notre Dame’s Cam Hart, who while participating in the Reese’s Senior Bowl earlier this month, met with the Patriots on multiple occasions according to Zac Ventola.

Hart (6-foot-2, 202 lbs), had a great week in Mobile and while he hasn’t picked off a ball since 2021, was a lock-down corner for the Irish over the last two seasons while also adding three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery this season. His play recognition and instincts that he developed over four seasons in South Bend jump off the page and will be lauded by the Patriots’ defensive staff.

Round 4, Pick 103: RB Blake Corum, Michigan

Michigan’s Blake Corum is one of the top running backs in this year’s class but, as the deterioration of the position continues, the Patriots nab him in round four.

New England has just three rostered running backs heading into 2024 Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, and Ja’Mycal Hasty — with Stevenson gearing up for a contract year. It’s clearly a position that has to be addressed before the season begins.

Corum stands at just 5-foot-8 but plays much bigger than that. The 23-year-old rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022 on his way to a nod as a Unianimous All-American. Corum then returned in 2023 and notched another 1,245 yards and 27 (!!) touchdowns and helped the Wolverines become National Champions.

He could take a backseat/de facto redshirt season in 2024 before a decision needs to be made on Stevenson. Then it’s off and running.

**TRADE** Round 5, Pick 135 

TRADE COMP: Commanders receive pick No. 135, Patriots receive pick No. 137, pick No. 219

Another trade down lands the Patriots some more draft capital with a second seventh-round pick.

Round 5, Pick 137 (via Commanders): OG Christian Mahogany, Boston College

After trading back two spots, New England lands some depth on the inside in Christian Mahogany.

Mahogany, a 6-foot-3 guard out of Boston College, was named to the All-ACC Second Team in 2021 and after missing the 2022 season due to injury,was named to the First Team this season.

WBUR’s Khari Thompson, who was at the Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas earlier this month, reported that Mahogany took some snaps at center during the practice sessions as the showcase. Given David Andrews’ age, Cole Strange’s injury history, and Mike Onwenu’s status up in the air, Mahogany could make sense in Foxborough next season.

Round 6, Pick 181: EDGE Mo Kamara, Colorado State

Like Mahogany, Colorado State EDGE defense Mo Kamara attended, and excelled at, the East-West Shrine Bowl last month.

Kamara standing, at 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, was a team captain for the Rams in 2023 and finished the season as Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Year. He tallied 56 tackles, 13 sacks, and two forced fumbles on his way to All-Mountain West First Team honors.

Given the uncertainly along the Patriots’ defensive line with Lawrence Guy’s age and Matthew Judon’s contract situation, newly-appointed coordinator DeMarcus Covington may want to beef up the unit through the draft. Kamara brings that and then some.

Round 7, Pick 219 (via Commanders): TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota

If the Patriots can re-sign captain and tight end Hunter Henry this offseason, there’s a chance they wait on a tight end until the later rounds.

Another Senior Bowl-er, Brevyn Spann-Ford out of Minnesota met with the Patriots earlier this month in Mobile. He’s not only quick, but an incredibly athletic for his 6-foot-7, 270-pound frame.

A project, but worth a flier in round seven.

Round 7, Pick 228: K Will Reichard, Alabama

For a second year in a row, the Patriot draft a kicker, adding some competition in the room behind Chad Ryland after he struggled as a rookie.

Reichard was First-Team All-SEC at Alabama in 2023, and is the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader after banging in 293 PATs and 82 FGs over five seasons in Tuscaloosa. He hit 88% of his field goal attempts this past season and was 5-for-5 from 50+ yards.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!

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