Way Too Early New England Patriots Mock Draft: Patriots slide in draft order but still get their guy
In some ways, the New England Patriots' last two wins have been unfortunate, dropping their current draft position from the No. 1 pick to now the No. 9 pick in just two weeks.
Despite the drop, it still might be an advantage trade for the Patriots as they seem to have hit on a quarterback in rookie Drake Maye and with many teams atop the draft rankings looking for a quarterback, which this week's opponent the Los Angeles Rams might fall into this category with Mathew Stafford's age, the Patriots might still manage to walk away with one of the draft's top tackles as long as they stay within that top fifteen range.
Projected Draft Picks (subject to change) ‣ Round 1, Pick 9 OT Will Campbell | 6'6", 320lbs | 1st ranked OT
They spent a top-70 pick on Penn State's Caedan Wallace last season but he hasn't shown yet that he can be a franchise left tackle. Campbell could be an upgrade in pass protection from Week 1. He's a smooth mover who plays with a nasty streak. Campbell is a top three prospect in the draft so as the draft orders change throughout the season, he may no longer fall outside of the top five if a tackle needy team like Washington climbs up but for now, New England gets their guy.
‣ Round 2, Pick 41 WR Emeka Egbuka | 6'2", 205lbs | 3rd ranked WR
In this mock draft, top ranked guard Tyler Booker is off the board and so are edge rushers Patrick Payton and Abdul Carter so the team chooses to address another need on offense. Egbuka is an ultra-reliable and versatile wide out. He may not be an elite-tier athlete, but he can win with size and savvy. He's averaging a touchdown a game this season and has 526 yards so far.
‣ Round 3, Pick 71 (via NO) DE Shemar Stewart | 6'6", 290lbs | 11th ranked DE
We'll see what happens with Josh Uche in free agency but Deatrich Wise is getting older and even with the emergence of Keion White, the team still needs to replace the power rushing element that they've lost in Matthew Judon. Stewart is a versatile, powerful defensive lineman that can play anywhere from the three-technique to the five. Stewart's blend of size, explosiveness, and power off the edge make him a moldable piece for the Patriots coaching staff that loves to play multiple fronts.
‣ Round 3, Pick 73 IOL Logan Parr | 6'5", 315lbs | 6th ranked IOL
At this point, just keep throwing numbers at the offensive line in an effort to fix it. The Patriots have to make a decision on Cole Strange's fifth year option, which they will likely decline. Best case scenario, Strange returns next season for the final year of his rookie deal and is back at left guard before entering free agency. If that does happen, it would behoove New England to have his replacement ready and that could be Parr. He's a high motor, athletic offensive lineman that shares similar traits to Strange with a better build and athletic profile.
This draft is going to shake shit up. Glad to see Sir Drake is proving to be the franchise guy we've been praying for. Some more protection on the offensive line and a number one weapon and we back up.
This draft is going to shake shit up. Glad to see Sir Drake is proving to be the franchise guy we've been praying for. Some more protection on the offensive line and a number one weapon and we back up.
‣ NFL 2024 Regular Season, Week 11 - Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts (3-6) Los Angeles Rams at New England Patriots (4-6)LAR | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 NE | 0 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 38
Patriots shut out injury-plagued Rams 38-0 in Garoppolo's rough return to Foxborough
Jimmy Garoppolo's return to Foxborough was less than ideal, getting sacked five times and intercepted twice while averaging less than five yards per attempt in the injury riddled Rams' 38-0 shutout loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
The Patriots' young stars shined with Drake Maye throwing for two touchdowns, including a goal line fade to fellow rookie receiver Javon Baker, and rushing for another. Christian Gonzalez blanketed Cooper Kupp, surrendering just one catch, and returned an interception of Garoppolo for a touchdown.
The Rams were without starting quarterback Matthew Stafford as he recovers from his ankle injury. Stafford was one of several Rams' starters that were out, including cornerback Darious Williams, receiver Puka Nacua, tight end Tyler Higbee, safety John Johnson III, running back Blake Corum, and three offensive linemen in Jonah Jackson, Steve Avila and Cameron Fleming.
Scoring Summary Quarter 1
No scores
Quarter 2 Joey Slye, 35 Yd FG (7:56) Javon Baker 1 Yd pass from Drake Maye (0:00)
Quarter 3 Christian Gonzalez, returned interception 54 Yds (10:30) Tyquan Thornton 4 Yd pass from Drake Maye (1:03)
Quarter 4 Rhamondre Stevenson, 4 Yd run (8:21) Drake Maye, 6 Yd run (5:42)
Week 11 NFL Top Stories A.J. Brown dominates matchup against Commanders, rookie Mike Sainristil Marcus Lattimore gets the better of Amari Cooper, holding him to just 33 yards in win for the Saints In a marquee matchup of halfbacks, Jonathan Taylor only manages 59 yards in a poor attempt to defeat Breece Hall and the Jets
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- AFC Playoff Picture
1. Kansas City, 8-2
2. NY Jets, 8-3
3. Baltimore, 7-4
4. Houston, 7-4
5. Pittsburgh, 6-4
6. Buffalo, 6-5
7. LA Chargers, 5-5
-- Denver, 5-6
-- Indianapolis, 5-6
-- New England, 5-6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- NFC Playoff Picture
1. Minnesota, 8-2
2. Atlanta, 7-4
3. Dallas, 6-4
4. Seattle, 6-4
5. Detroit, 7-3
6. Tampa, 6-4
7. NY Giants, 6-4
-- Philadelphia, 6-4
-- Green Bay, 5-5
-- Chicago, 5-5
-- San Francisco, 5-5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Players of the Week QB Jordan Love: 23-33, 275 yds, 3 TD CB Marcus Lattimore: 5 tkl, INT, FF, 2 FR QB Joe Burrow: 24-29, 253 yds, 4 TD, 6 car, 47 yds CB Mike Hilton: 2 tkl, 4 INT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- League Leaders -- Passing QB Aaron Rodgers: 69 cmp%, 282.5 ypg, 27 TD, 8 INT QB Joe Burrow: 70 cmp%, 258.2 ypg, 21 TD, 8 INT QB Lamar Jackson: 75 cmp%, 249 ypg, 17 TD, 6 INT QB C.J. Stroud: 69 cmp%, 246.3 ypg, 15 TD, 7 INT QB Josh Allen: 72 cmp%, 244.6 ypg, 27 TD, 4 INT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notable Injuries LB Logan Wilson: Season (groin) LB Matt Milano: Season (bicep) HB Nick Chubb: Season (knee) LB Zaven Collins: Season (shoulder) HB Isiah Pacheco: Season (tibia) DT DeForest Buckner: Season (ankle) CB DaRon Bland: Season (foot) EDGE Micah Parsons: Season (shoulder) QB Tua Tagovailoa: Season (CTE) WR Rondale Moore: Season (shoulder) HB Christian McCaffrey: Season (ankle) LB Dre Greenlaw: Season (ankle) DE Haason Reddick: Season (ankle) DE Jermaine Johnson II: Season (ankle) C Frank Ragnow: Season (pectoral) DE Derrick Brown: Season (knee) LT Kolton Miller: Season (Achilles) WR Puka Nuaca: Season (knee) T Ryan Ramczyk: Season (knee) TE T.J. Hockenson: Season (knee)
‣ NFL 2024 Regular Season, Week 12 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida (5-6) New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins (4-6)NE | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 19 MIA | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 20
Drake Maye's a-maye-zing comeback effort falls short against Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins had already intercepted New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye twice, including returning one for a touchdown, and the young quarterback had only 34 seconds to go 56-yards and no timeouts, needing a touchdown to force overtime.
Maye would fall short, only because the Patriots decided to go for the win and failed to convert their two-point conversion in the 20-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
With seventeen seconds left in the game, Maye would scramble for 21 yards and then 24 yards before getting out of bounds with two seconds left for one final play in regulation to get into the endzone. He'd find Tyquan Thornton for the touchdown, giving New England the option to kick an extra point or go for the win. The Patriots chose to go for it on a handoff to Antonio Gibson that was stopped short.
After the game, Maye clarified it was an RPO and that he should have made a different read. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo took ownership of the decision to go for the win, citing that he felt like at that point, it was the right move to stay aggressive.
Scoring Summary Quarter 1 Jason Sanders, 36 Yd FG (8:40) Marcus Maye, returned interception 64 Yds (0:15)
OT Will Campbell | 6'6", 320lbs | 1st ranked OT
WR Emeka Egbuka | 6'2", 205lbs | 3rd ranked WR
DE Shemar Stewart | 6'6", 290lbs | 11th ranked DE
IOL Logan Parr | 6'5", 315lbs | 6th ranked IOL
Joey Slye, 35 Yd FG (7:56)
A.J. Brown dominates matchup against Commanders, rookie Mike Sainristil
Marcus Lattimore gets the better of Amari Cooper, holding him to just 33 yards in win for the Saints
In a marquee matchup of halfbacks, Jonathan Taylor only manages 59 yards in a poor attempt to defeat Breece Hall and the Jets
QB Jordan Love: 23-33, 275 yds, 3 TD
QB Joe Burrow: 24-29, 253 yds, 4 TD, 6 car, 47 yds
QB Aaron Rodgers: 69 cmp%, 282.5 ypg, 27 TD, 8 INT
QB Lamar Jackson: 75 cmp%, 249 ypg, 17 TD, 6 INT
QB C.J. Stroud: 69 cmp%, 246.3 ypg, 15 TD, 7 INT
QB Josh Allen: 72 cmp%, 244.6 ypg, 27 TD, 4 INT
HB Nick Chubb: Season (knee)
LB Zaven Collins: Season (shoulder)
HB Isiah Pacheco: Season (tibia)
CB DaRon Bland: Season (foot)
QB Tua Tagovailoa: Season (CTE)
WR Rondale Moore: Season (shoulder)
HB Christian McCaffrey: Season (ankle)
C Frank Ragnow: Season (pectoral)
DE Derrick Brown: Season (knee)
LT Kolton Miller: Season (Achilles)
WR Puka Nuaca: Season (knee)
TE T.J. Hockenson: Season (knee)
Jason Sanders, 36 Yd FG (8:40)