EDSFootball.com
Follow us:
Home Blog
New England Patriots

New England Patriots Mock Draft Roundup 6.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, we will update our New England Patriots Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the New England Patriots from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Patriots:

SI - Kevin Hanson (4/1)

29. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

After trading Stephon Gilmore to the Panthers last season and losing J.C. Jackson to the Chargers in free agency, the Patriots could look to use their first-round pick on a cornerback. Booth recently had sports hernia surgery, but he's expected to be ready for the start of training camp. He is an athletic, agile and scheme-diverse cornerback. While he has a few missed tackles due in part to being overly aggressive, Booth is physical and willing as a run defender. The former five-star recruit is competitive at the catch point and has outstanding hands as this highlight-reel grab demonstrates.

CBS Sports - Kyle Stackpole (4/1)

21. Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

The Patriots beef up their offensive line with the versatile and intelligent Johnson. The Boston College product has soared up draft boards to the point where some expect he'll be the first interior offensive lineman taken (like in this mock).

Yahoo! Sports - Eric Edholm (3/31)

21. Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

Malcolm Butler's signing doesn't erase the need at corner, but we also don't think they have to go CB here. Instead, don't forget about the pretty big hole at guard with the losses of Ted Karras and Shaq Mason. Johnson is exactly what the Patriots seek in their offensive linemen: smart, tough, versatile, athletic. Height, as Mason proved, is overrated on the interior. Johnson is a stud and a Day 1 starter.

ESPN - Mike Tannenbaum (3/30)

21. Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson

Just two years ago, the Patriots had J.C. Jackson and Stephon Gilmore in their cornerbacks room. Now they are starting Malcolm Butler and Jalen Mills on the outside. Booth has great quickness, scheme flexibility and the ability to play all over. And why Booth over LSU's Derek Stingley Jr.? Stingley has played only 10 games over the past two seasons, and his production over that time left a lot to be desired. That's concerning, and I'm leaning toward Booth, because I know what I'm getting from him.

NFL.com - Bucky Brooks (3/29)

21. Roger McCreary, CB, Auburn

Bill Belichick has a knack for identifying and developing blue-chip cornerbacks. McCreary has a solid set of tools that should make him a strong fit in a versatile scheme that blends man and zone coverage.

The Draft Network - Brentley Weissman (3/28)

21. Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama

The Patriots desperately need to add some speed at receiver and they do so here with the draft's best deep threat. Had Jameson Williams not torn his ACL in the National Championship Game, he would have been long gone by this pick. Williams offers game-breaking speed and acceleration and has excellent hands and ball skills as well.

The Athletic - Beat Writer Mock (3/28)

21. Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College

Matthew Fairburn: With the top three cornerbacks, top four wide receivers, top four offensive tackles and top five edge rushers all off the board, the Patriots fill their biggest remaining need by taking the draft's best guard. Johnson checks every box the Patriots look for in their offensive linemen. He's versatile and smart enough to have handled multiple positions in college. He was a two-time captain for the Eagles. And most importantly, he's a mauling guard who could start immediately.

Guard isn't a flashy pick, but the positional value isn't a problem at the end of the first round. Not for a player with Johnson's ability. Bill Belichick has taken a few guards in the first round over the years but hasn't done so since Logan Mankins in 2005.

Brugler: Like in this scenario, I think Johnson will be the first interior offensive lineman drafted. He has all the traits to be a long-time starting guard in the NFL with his play strength, balance and intelligence. I've heard rave reviews from teams when they get Johnson on the whiteboard, something that will certainly appeal to Belichick and his staff.

PFF - Austin Gayle (3/28)

21. Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

The Patriots likely avoid the wide receiver position in Round 1 if they can't get their hands on London, considering their tendency to gravitate toward bigger receivers, but I love the fit for Olave in their offense. Bill Belichick spent big on pass-catchers in free agency a year ago with the additions of Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, but the offense is still without a consistent force at the receiver position outside of Jakobi Meyers.

Olave is a smooth route-runner who should consistently create separation at all areas of the field in the NFL, a skill set Mac Jones and the Patriots' offense could desperately use as the team fights to match the firepower added to the rest of the AFC East this offseason.

MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups

Previous updates:

More New England Patriots content:

Also, check out more of our content:

Keep track of our site's updates: (1) follow us on Twitter, (2) like us on Facebook and/or (3) subscribe to our newsletter.