New England Patriots

2017 New England Patriots NFL Mock Draft

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 30, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks to throw a pass during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. The Patriots beat the Bills 41-25. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Taking a look into 2017, who might the Patriots be targeting in the 2017 NFL Draft?

As we continue to project our thoughts and opinions that will inevitably change prior to Day 1 of the NFL Draft, we take a look at the possibilities for the New England Patriots.

Known for doing very well in the draft, Bill Belichick looks for repeat success by finding players that fit perfectly into his scheme. It seems that year in, year out, Belichick can take whatever player he wants, and plug them in flawlessly.

Belichick also knows who his franchise players are, and is not afraid to make changes to the team that change the personnel outside of the core.

As we all know, last season, the Patriots had to forfeit their 2016 first-round pick due to the sanctions from Deflategate. But this didn’t stop them from drafting players that are already making impacts for them this season.

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Arguably the biggest of those names is Jacoby Brissett, the Quarterback out of NC State. He started in 2 games for the Patriots this season while Brady and Garrappolo were not able to play. While he was not prepared to start in the NFL, he did a good job and will be a capable backup after this season.

Joe Thuney, also out of NC State, is turning out to be a great selection. An Offensive Guard taken in the 3rd Round, Thuney immediately impressed. He has started every game so far this season, and played very well.

Lastly, Elandon Roberts is the player slated to take over some duties at Linebacker after the departure of Jamie Collins. He was their 6th Round Pick, but reports say that the Patriots have great confidence in him.

Let’s see if any of these next 5 players can be successful for them next year. With the Patriots sitting at 7-1, I will have them picking very late…if not last in next year’s draft.

Oct 29, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Arizona Wildcats during the second quarter at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

#1. Christian McCaffrey – RB – Stanford

Call me crazy, but I see the Patriots taking the running back/do it all player for Stanford, Christian McCaffrey, with their first pick in the draft.

I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a player that seems like a better fit for the Patriots offense in years. The Patriots have a multitude of running backs, LeGarrette Blount, James White, Dion Lewis (IR), and a few others including D.J. Foster who was signed as an undrafted free agent last year. But if this pick doesn’t make complete sense to anyone else, please call me out.

The entire sporting world knows that the Patriots like to have the football in Tom Brady’s hands. And why wouldn’t you, he may go down as the best NFL QB in history. The fact of the matter however, is that McCaffrey can thrive for them in so many ways.

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McCaffrey is by all means a great ball carrier in all ways you can put it. At 6’0″, 201 pounds, he absolutely is big enough to be running through the tackles and being a 3 down back. Some pundits see him as a change of pace back, but we’ll need to wait and see on that, because I’m not convinced yet.

McCaffrey has been running all over opposing defenses for years now, but he is also a stellar receiver. He consistently lines up in the slot, or even on the outside as a WR for the Cardinal. This is exactly the kind of back that for the past few years has been ideal for the Patriots offense.

Lastly, he is an electric return man. If you live on the east coast, and are still wondering who McCaffrey is, he’s the guy you see on Sportscenter on Sunday Morning running for 120 yards and a TD, catching 7 passes for 100 yards and a TD, and then maybe also putting a stamp on it with a 65 yard punt return for touchdown.

He’s that good.

Dec 30, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Louisville Cardinals linebacker Devonte Fields (92) celebrates after a sack during the first half in the 2015 Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

#2. Devonte Fields – OLB/DE – Louisville

With the Patriots’ 2nd pick in 2017, they elect to go to the defensive side of the ball, selecting Devonte Fields out of Louisville. Yes, this can be directly correlated to the move they made with Jamie Collins.

Let’s take a look at this. Jamie Collins was a pass rushing DE/OLB at Southern Miss. Coming into the 2013 NFL Draft, he was 6’3″ 250 pounds. He was taken in the 2nd Round by the Patriots.

Fast forward to 2016. Devonte Fields is a pass rushing DE/OLB at Louisville. He is currently listed at 6’4″, 245 pounds. He may also be taken in the 2nd Round, following the path of Collins.

This pick just makes sense for the Patriots. After trading away Jamie Collins, they could use additional help at this position. As I said earlier, they have confidence in Roberts, but it would behoove them to draft elite talent with this pick.

Fields is extremely versatile, and lines up on both sides of the defense. He is a great pass rusher, but has also vastly improved in defending the rush.

If the Patriots are looking to plug in someone and expect similar results to Collins, this could very well be the guy.

Oct 17, 2015; West Point, NY, USA; The Army Black Knights defense lines up against the Bucknell Bison during the first half at Michie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

#3. Julie’n Davenport – OT – Bucknell

With the 3rd pick, the Patriots address the offensive line by selecting Julie’n Davenport. I completely aware that you have never heard of this guy, and he plays for an FCS School. But hear me out.

Davenport is a freakishly large, freakishly athletic Offensive Tackle. At 6’7″ 315 pounds, you can already tell what this guy would look like if you were standing in front of him. But he also has 35″ arms, and 10″ hands. The guy is a giant.

But he isn’t just a large body. He has been a 4 year starter at Bucknell, even earning the Left Tackle position as a Freshman, and got First-Team recognition as a Sophomore, and has been a Captain for Bucknell for 2 seasons.

Right now, some scouts are saying that he does the following things very well: pass blocking, footwork, run blocking, blocking strength. So, basically everything. What he lacks in elite competition, he makes up for in leadership, experience, and raw size & talent.

If Davenport gets to the Senior Bowl and dominates there, look for this name to shoot up draft boards. Until that point, I’m comfortable with putting him into this spot, and I think he wouldn’t turn down the chance to protect Tom Brady’s blind side.

Oct 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes defensive back Chidobe Awuzie (4) during a NCAA football game against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC defeated Colorado 21-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

#4. Chidobe Awuzie – CB – Colorado

With the Patriots’ 2nd 3rd Round Pick, the add to their depth at Cornerback. Don’t forget, the Patriots will have two 3rd round picks (as long as the Browns are awarded their compensatory pick). This one will almost certainly be the pick they owned all along.

Listed as 5’11” and 205 pounds, Awuzie has jumped onto the radar of NFL Scouts after being solid last season. He was awarded All-Pac 12 2nd Team Honors, and was a very versatile player for the Buffaloes.

He has taken snaps at Nickel, Corner, Safety, and even lined up some at linebacker. Awuzie also is effective at rushing the QB from the outside. He is very aggressive and had more tackles for loss than anyone on the team.

However, he is also great in coverage, and consistently blankets receivers, breaks up passes, and has come up with game-critical interceptions.

The Patriots can afford to make this pick after their 2nd Round Pick Cyrus Jones out of Alabama last year hasn’t gone well so far. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field due to some injuries, as well as being ejected from a game for striking another player.

He still can be useful to the team, it just hasn’t been the start the Patriots were looking for. To balance that out and provide further depth behind Butler and Ryan, Awuzie could fill in well. He could provide some good time at Nickel and be effective in blitz packages too.

Oct 17, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) pressures Florida Gators quarterback Treon Harris (3) during the second quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

#5. Lewis Neal – DE LSU

With the 4th Round pick, the Patriots go to Lewis Neal, and bulk up their defensive line. The Patriots spent a good portion of this season trying to get a pass rusher to compliment their defense, and wound up with Chris Long. He has been great for the past few years, but looks to have started his decline.

It could definitely help a young player like Neal to learn from veterans Long and Sheard. The Patriots could use some pass rushing help as well as Ninkovich continues towards older age and retirement.

The great part about Lewis Neal is that he has good size at 6’2″ 264 pounds and has the frame to add more weight. If he can do that, while keeping his speed, he could be a very good rotational player at both DE and DT.

That kind of versatility is something that the Patriots value highly in their players. Neal is currently generating a lot of pressure on the QB and getting sacks.Neal could be a great late-round selection for the Patriots at this position, that is if they don’t target it earlier in the draft.

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