New England Patriots Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

With the run on tackles happening prior to the Patriots' pick, I could see them pivot to a smart, competitive and versatile defensive back. Devin McCourty might be ready to retire, leaving a big leadership void.

If the New England Patriots are going to get back into contention in the AFC East, improved cornerback play to combat the talent at wide receiver in the division is a must. Witherspoon is an ultra-competitive corner with man coverage ability, ball skills, and physicality.

Flip a coin on Van Ness or Clemson DT Brian [sic] Bresee. The Patriots might need to find more offensive weapons — and Texas RB Bijan Robinson might be way too tempting here, even with talent already in the Patriot backfield — but Van Ness fits.

Porter's father was a pain in the rear for Bill Belichick for many years, so it only makes sense that he wants to ensure a second generation doesn't do it some more. The younger Porter pairs great instincts with a frame that should give the Pats a true No. 1 corner again.

This pick was nearly Iowa edge Lukas Van Ness, due to all of the Belichickian traits he possesses (down to the fact that he played for Kirk Ferentz). But Brian Branch is probably even more of a classic Patriots fit. This also might be too low for Branch, who could well be the best defensive prospect in this draft outside of Carter and Anderson. A terrific space defender in the back seven, Branch is a safety who can cover. One of these years, NFL teams will stop being afraid to draft these types of players higher than the teens. Maybe it'll be this year.

The mere suggestion of the Patriots drafting another X receiver early might cause New England fans some nausea.

Over the Bill Belichick Era, the Patriots have done a fantastic job at identifying talent at the slot receiver position. Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and now Jakobi Meyers all come to mind.

But the boundary receiver spots have been a mixed bag at best. Yes, they traded for Randy Moss, but you knew what you were getting with him. Draft picks such as Chad Jackson, Aaron Dobson, and most recently N'Keal Harry all failed to live up to the billing. Fourth-round pick Malcolm Mitchell played a huge role for the Patriots as a rookie in Super Bowl LI but retired after two years due to injuries.

Could Johnston break that streak? Perhaps. He projects as a prototypical X receiver in the NFL, with the ball skills and speed to stretch defenses vertically, but as we saw against Michigan he can also work underneath to create explosive plays.

Hiring Bill O'Brien is the first step in fixing the offense in New England. Finding ways to generate explosives in the passing game is the second. Johnston is a nod to that need.

Peter Skoronski is solid and consistent, which are two of the best things you can say about an offensive lineman. The biggest issue he'll face during the pre-draft process will be arm length and whether his NFL future is at tackle or guard.

When Jordan Addison's name comes up during big board assembly meetings across the NFL, some teams will focus on his lack of size at 6-foot and 175 pounds. Others will focus on his 2,506 receiving yards, 25 receiving touchdowns and Biletnikoff Award over the past two years. I'm not sure the Patriots are in a position to pass up a smooth and productive playmaker in the passing game.

Will the Patriots bring back free agent corner Jonathan Jones? That could determine what Bill Belichick & Co. do here, because this is a strong cornerback class in the back half of Round 1. There could be a run on defensive backs in the 20s. Witherspoon is my top-ranked corner, a long and physical player who shut down an entire side of the field for the Fighting Illini. He also is not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle.

Outside of corner, New England could target offensive line or wide receiver with this pick to try to support quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled in Year 2.

The Patriots could elect to go back to the future by drafting a tight end who allows them to utilize more jumbo packages.

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