The Patriots have several areas to address during the offseason, and one key focus could be bringing in a cornerback to play alongside Christian Gonzalez.
ESPN’s Field Yates published a mock draft on Wednesday and had the Patriots drafting Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood at pick 30.
“Under coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have made such a leap that they don’t have an immediate need to fill if the board falls this way,” Yates wrote. “But the team generally needs more cornerback depth behind All-Pro Christian Gonzalez, as Carlton Davis III will turn 29 in a few weeks.
“Hood has some areas to clean up with his technique, but there’s an infectious energy that you see every time you watch him play. He posted 10 pass breakups this season — his first with Tennessee after spending one season at Colorado and his freshman year at Auburn. Hood loves the challenge of man coverage and can be an aggressive player in run support.”
Hood could be an excellent choice to fill the cornerback position opposite Gonzalez. He stepped up significantly for the Volunteers this season after their top cornerback, Jermod McCoy missed the entire season due to an ACL injury.
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