Through three rounds of the NFL Draft the New England Patriots have added three players: OT Caleb Lomu, OLB Gabe Jacas, and TE Eli Raridon. They also have traded away three additional picks in order to do so, which leaves them with five selections entering Day 3.
Who might be on their radar? With some help from our very own Pats Pulpit Big Board and the Consensus Big Board compiled by our friend Arif Hasan, let’s take a look at the top-50 players still remaining for New England on day two of this
year’s draft.
(*denotes players listed on the Pats Pulpit Big Board)
Quarterback
Potential targets: Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Haynes King (Georgia Tech), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Joe Fagnano (UConn)
The Patriots have made it clear they will add a third arm behind Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito this offseason. That will come on Day 3 or in undrafted free agency. They hosted Morton and Daniels to the facility for pre-draft visits, while also showing interest in King and Fagnano.
Running back
Potential targets: Mike Washington Jr. (Arkansas), Jonah Coleman (Washington), Emmett Johnson (Nebraska), Adam Randall* (Clemson), Eli Heidenreich* (Navy)
The depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson remains a question. Through three rounds just three running backs have come off the board in what’s regarded as a weak class, but the Patriots could find intriguing competition to join Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings on the depth chart.
Wide Receiver
Potential targets: Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Skyler Bell (UConn), Bryce Lance (NDSU), Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
New England has still not added a wide receiver this draft, which isn’t much of a surprise after signing Romeo Doubs and expecting to trade for A.J. Brown. The team may still want to keep the pipeline fresh with several players on expiring deals. Sarratt is among the best players available while Lance has intriguing deep speed to potentially pair with Drake Maye.
Tight End
Potential targets: Justin Joly* (NC State), Jack Endries (Texas)
The pick of Eli Raridon and free agent signing of Julian Hill has seemingly set the Patriots tight end depth chart. But Mike Vrabel said with a sarcastic tune earlier this offseason he’d take nine tight ends if he could, so perhaps at least a double-dip is in store in a talented class.
Offensive Tackle
Potential targets: Dametrious Crownover* (Texas A&M), Jude Bowry (Boston College), Travis Burke* (Memphis)
Day 3 would likely be the time for the Patriots to double-dip at the tackle position. Crownover has intriguing physical tools to work with while Burke, who was brought in for a 30 visit, plays with a nasty play demeanor. The team is also very familiar with Bowry from his time at Boston College.
Interior Offensive Line
Potential targets: Jalen Farmer (Kentucky), Billy Schrauth (Notre Dame), Sam Hecht (Kansas State), Brian Parker II (Duke), Jeremiah Wright* (Auburn), Micah Morris (Miami), Logan Taylor (Boston College)
With at least one of the Patriots final picks expected to be used along the offensive line, it may be more likely they add another player along the interior. They hosted Jeremiah Weight, who is a big, powerful guard that somewhat resembles Mike Onwenu, on a pre-draft visit.
Defensive Line
Potential targets: Gracen Halton (Oklahoma), Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State), Zxavian Harris (Ole Miss), Kaleb Proctor* (Southeastern Louisiana), Landon Robinson* (Navy)
New England currently features a deep group along the defensive line, but the loss of Khyiris Tonga could lead to another addition. Jackson would fill that role at the nose and is among the best players available, while Proctor is an intriguing penetrating defensive lineman.
Defensive edge
Potential targets: Dani Dennis-Sutton* (Penn State), Joshua Josephs (Tennessee), George Gumbs Jr.* (Florida)
With just five current picks remaining, the Patriots may not dip back into the edge class after selecting Jacas. If they do, however, selecting a twitched-up, bendy speed rusher like Gumbs would complement the second rounder nicely.
Linebacker
Potential targets: Kyle Louis (Pittsburgh), Kaleb Elarms-Orr* (TCU), Bryce Boettcher (Oregon), Harold Perkins (LSU), Red Murdock (Buffalo), Jimmy Rolder (Michigan), Aiden Fisher (Indiana)
Plenty of talent remains at linebacker — a position group that Eliot Wolf acknowledged had good depth on Day 3 — and New England will likely look to add after moving off of three off-ball linebackers this offseason. Louis is among the top overall players remaining, while Elarms-Orr, Boettcher and Perkins offer high-level athletic profiles at the position.
Cornerback
Potential targets: Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Keionte Scott (Miami), Keith Abney II (Arizona State), Chandler Rivers (Duke), Avery Smith* (Toledo)
Once a projected top 20 pick, Jermod McCoy’s fall continued Friday night due to medical concerns. After missing last season due to an ACL tear, teams now have concerns about separate bone plug in his knee that could require surgery. His talent should now be worth the risk on Day 3. Scott and Abney are then the next two best players available on the consensus board. Eliot Wolf has noted the depth in the secondary is weaker this year compared to previous drafts.
Safety
Potential targets: Zakee Wheatley* (Penn State), Jalon Kilgore (South Carolina), Kamari Ramsey (USC), Genesis Smith (Arizona), VJ Payne (Kansas State)
Wolf’s comments about the secondary translate to the safety position, but a case could be made to add depth there as well behind Kevin Byard and Craig Woodson. New England hosted Wheatley for a pre-draft visit while some intriguing talent — such as VJ Payne — remains behind him.
