The NFL Scouting Combine is over, and do you know what that means? It’s mock draft season.
Here’s our first crack at a Patriots mock draft after identifying fits based on combine measurables. We did four of these last year, and we correctly identified two draft picks (Deatrich Wise and Conor McDermott) and an undrafted free agent signing (Harvey Langi), and the Patriots only selected four players. So, based on that, there’s a slightly better than 75-percent chance one of the below six players winds up on the Patriots.
Without further ado:
Round 1, 31st Overall Pick: LB Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
The Patriots need a three-down linebacker, and Vander Esch, whose name might be an amalgamation of “Gossip Girl” characters and actors, fits the bill.
He’s 6-foot-4, 256 pounds and aced the combine with a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump, 6.88-second 3-cone and 4.15-second short shuttle.
He specialized as a run defender in 2017, but he also was highly capable both as a pass rusher and in coverage.
Round 2, 43rd Overall Pick: DB Justin Reid, Stanford
The Patriots never effectively filled the void Logan Ryan left at slot cornerback after the 2016 season. Reid could fill that position as a rookie before taking on a greater role as a safety later in his career.
Reid is a highly intelligent player who also excelled at the combine with a 4.4-second 40-yard dash, 36.5-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump, 6.65-second 3-cone and 4.15-second short shuttle. He could play cornerback, slot, dime, strong or free safety in the Patriots’ defense.
Don’t compare him to Jordan Richards.
Round 2, 63rd Overall Pick: QB Kyle Lauletta, Richmond
The Patriots need a developmental quarterback to serve behind Tom Brady and eventually become his successor. Lauletta seems like the perfect choice. He has a quick release, and his footwork has been compared to Jimmy Garoppolo’s. Lauletta is more athletic than Garoppolo.
Round 3, 95th Overall Pick: RB Jaylen Samuels, N.C. State
The Patriots love versatility, and Samuels — who was listed as a tight end at the combine — was a slot receiver/short-yardage back in 2017 with the Wolfpack. That’s crazy.
Round 4, 136th Overall Pick: OT Kolton Miller, UCLA
Miller is super athletic, but he’s still being rated as a fourth-round pick. The Patriots took UCLA offensive lineman Conor McDermott in 2017. Maybe they’ll have better luck with Miller?
Round 6, 205th Overall Pick: DE Dorance Armstrong, Jr., Kansas
The Patriots need more depth at defensive end, and Armstrong’s height, length, explosion, agility and short-area quickness fit the Patriots’ typical standards.
