With the Patriots not surprisingly trading away their 23rd pick it leaves fans guessing what they have planned for day 2 with a lot of talent still left on the board. In return for the 23rd pick, the Patriots received the 37th overall pick and the 71st. Despite Patriot fans wanting them to use that pick on Kenneth Murray, it was the smart thing to do. The Patriots move down 14 spots, and got another 3rd round pick to compliment and complete the trade. Everyone knows Bill Belichick feasts in the middle rounds and he should have a field day in the 2nd day of the draft.
The Patriots should take a TE in the 2nd round without a doubt that is what I see them doing, but it is only a matter of when I think they should. A lot of talent is still left on the board that the Patriots could have selected at #23 which is the reason why they moved down so expect them to go in that direction. Xavier McKinney is a surprising player to see move into the 2nd round, and I would be pretty surprised to see him be there at #37, same goes for Grant Delpit. The most realistic players I see the Patriots going with is Zach Baun or AJ Epenesa whom I originally had going to the Patriots at #23. If they end up going with AJ Epenesa they would have to move back into the 2nd round to get their future tight end. Thuney at this point in time will not be traded for a 2nd rounder, instead the Patriots will package a 3rd round pick and 1 or 2 6th round picks in order to get back into the 2nd round. The tight ends that are available are Cole Kmet, Adam Trautman, Harrison Bryant, Hunter Byrant, Thaddeus Moss, Brycen Hopkins, and Albert Okwuegbunam. When the Patriots trade back into the 2nd round they will draft Cole Kmet who should still be on the board anywhere from pick #44 to pick #50.
The Patriots have 4 3rd round draft picks to work with, which leaves a lot of guessing. Will they go with a QB? Will they draft a 2nd TE? Or maybe they may go WR in this round if K.J Hill is still left on the board. With pick #71 I expect the Patriots to draft Jacob Eason like I had originally in my mock. As much as I want the Patriots to draft Jalen Hurts I just do not think Bill is going to target that style of player. With pick #87 I have the Patriots drafting K.J Hill out of Ohio State. Hill is a phenomenal route runner who knows how to get open. He is a smart player who has 2nd round talents but will fall into the 3rd round which would be a steal. Pick #98 I am predicting will be the pick that gets traded along with pick #195 in order to get back into the 2nd round. I would not be surprised if they trade a 2nd 6th round pick to complete the trade since they have 4 of them. With pick #100 the Patriots will go with a 2nd tight end but I am still unsure who we will go with. Drafting Thaddeus Moss this early may be a reach so that is why I could see us possibly going with Brycen Hopkins or Adam Trautman. If we do not go with a TE, Moss would still be available in the 4th or 5th if the Pats were interested in him.
Round 2 Pick #37: A.J Epenesa, Defensive end, Iowa
Round 2 Pick #44-#50 received in a trade: Cole Kmet, Tight end, Notre Dame
Round 3 Pick #71: Jacob Eason, Quarterback, Washington
Round 3 Pick #87: K.J Hill, Wide receiver, Ohio State
Round 3 Pick #98: TRADED
Round 3 Pick #100: Adam Trautman, Tight end, Dayton
19 year old criminal justice & Journalist major from Massachusetts.
