Pats Pulpit
The Patriots make a commitment to their trenches in this new NFL mock draft.
With the bowl games behind us and the NFL Scouting Combine quickly approaching, now is a good time to release another seven-round mock draft. In this one, the New England Patriots make a commitment to the trenches, but also add some playmakers on both offense and defense.
One quick note: After each pick, I have also listed a prospect’s consensus rank according to the NFL Mock Draft Database, which helps put the selections into some contest. So, with that said, let’s get right into it.
TRADE: Patriots trade 1-4 to Carolina Panthers for 1-8, 2-57, and 4-110: The Patriots start the draft off by moving back and picking up second- and fourth-rounders this year. The simple reason to move back is the depth that is available, especially along the defensive line. With so many players all bunched together, it makes sense to move out of No. 4 and acquire some extra assets along the way.
1-8: ED Jalon Walker (Georgia | No. 13): After seeing what happened in the Super Bowl, we want to build a team in the mold of the Philadelphia Eagles. So, why not start with a Georgia defensive lineman?
Jalon Walker brings a ton of explosiveness and an ability to get after the quarterback. The Patriots need guys that can change the game and impact the QB on every play, and Walker has shown he can do that at a high level. He has some experience as an off-ball linebacker as well, and, although he’s a little raw, having a guy with the athleticism to both rush the passer and drop into coverage is quite valuable in today’s game.
Walker would instantly give the Patriots an explosive pass rusher to pair with Keion White and Christian Barmore.
2-38: CB Shavon Revel (East Carolina | No. 30): Revel has all the physical traits to be a first-round pick. He’s tall and long, and has really solid speed for a guy who is listed at 6-foot-3. The issue is that he is a JUCO transfer who started only 15 games at ECU before tearing his ACL early last year.
That one season of production was really promising, though, and there is certainly a chance that he ends up in the first round, especially if he can turn heads at the Combine. I still have him dropping into the Patriots’ lap in this mock because of injury concerns.
Aside from the defensive play, Revel also has been a productive special teamer who blocked two punts in 2023. His main role, however, would be as a starter-level outside cornerback. Put him across from Christian Gonzalez, and it’s going to be awfully difficult to complete a pass against the Patriots on the boundary.
TRADE: Patriots trade 2-57 and 4-105 to Cincinnati Bengals for 2-49: With the Patriots picking up an extra fourth-round pick in their first trade of the draft, they...
