Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft: Franchise QB, Offensive Weapons?
The New England Patriots face a transformative draft this upcoming year, the first true rookie class in their attempt at a full rebuild.
With the Pats zeroing in on a top five pick, the expectation is that they will take a quarterback, and SI projects they will do so with North Carolina's Drake Maye.
"No team in this draft needs something more than the Pats need a franchise quarterback," writes Sports Illustrated in its new three-round mock draft. "Regardless of whether or not Bill Belichick returns next season, New England has to swing big under center, and they're in position to do just that with this pick."
Maye is going to need some protection alongside him if he comes to New England, and that comes in the form of Arizona tackle Jordan Morgan in the second round.
"Morgan has absolutely got the goods," Athlon Sports says of Morgan. "He’s got a prototypical build, would appear to have some positional flexibility, and offers a strong mix of power and mobility."
After the Patriots get Maye some protection, they need to get him someone to throw to. They do that by selecting Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey at the top of the third round.
"McConkey isn’t the biggest, he isn’t the fastest, and he isn’t the strongest," Athlon Sports writes. "But he showcases a good knack for hard-earned yards after contact with the ball in his hands, he runs some effective routes that should translate to the NFL, and he’s served as a special teams contributor."
It may seem like a reach for McConkey, but the Patriots have tended to gravitate towards players that can contribute both on offense and special teams.
Ultimately, these three players could represent the start of a new era in New England. The quarterback, whether it be Maye or someone else, needs to set the tone for what's to come with the Patriots ... and the players that follow need to best fit the vision the quarterback is trying to set.
