7-round mock draft 2.0: Patriots add more assets through first-round trade

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.

Round 1

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.

Round 2

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 can package one with the extra second-rounders they got to move up and take a playmaker on offense. It’s only eight spots, but they want to make sure that they get their guy.

2-49: RB Omarion Hampton (North Carolina | No. 48): This might seem like a bit of a luxury pick here given that the Patriots are paying good money to Rhamondre Stevenson and also have Antonio Gibson under contract for two more years. The thing is, however, that Hampton has a chance to be special.

He jumps out when watching his UNC film. He is a physical runner who consistently powers his way through contact, but has really good burst through the holes as well. He looks to be a bell cow running back. The Patriots might not need that this year, but Stevenson wasn’t great in 2024 and adding another weapon to the backfield might not be the worst idea either. You also can’t go wrong with giving your franchise quarterback his college running back.

Hampton might end up being the second back chosen, and could even sneak into the end of the first round. Given that the league doesn’t typically value running backs super highly these days, he’s close enough to No. 38 right now. So, I have the Patriots taking him here.

Round 3

3-69: OT Emery Jones (LSU | No. 76): The Patriots wait until the third round to take an offensive lineman, but they pick one that might be able to start right away. Jones is a long, powerful player who excelled in pass protection at LSU. He is a right tackle, and that’s where he will almost certainly play in the NFL, but — especially if New England is able to sign a player like Ronnie Stanley in free agency — that is exactly what the Patriots are looking for.

Jones isn’t as polished as some other players, and he’ll only be 21 when the season starts, but his physical tools make him an exciting prospect. His performance in the SEC the last three season — he has started every game even as a true freshman — point to the fact that he could be a very successful professional.

3-77: WR Jack Bech (TCU | No. 79): The Patriots are looking for pass catchers, and haven’t gotten one until now. Bech changes this, and could become a helpful piece for them right out of the gate. He might profile as a slot, but I want good players on my team, and I don’t care where they play. (Remember when people were fine with the Patriots passing on Ladd McConkey last year? How’d that one work out?)

Bech put on a show at the Senior Bowl, and won MVP of the game after catching a last-second touchdown to give his team the win. He may not be as explosive or quick as you would expect a slot receiver to be, but he’s a solid route runner, has great hands, and is a good blocker. He’s also a good locker room guy and could be a perfect fit for the Josh McDaniels-run Patriots offense.

Round 4

4-110: DL Ty Robinson (Nebraska | No. 124): The Patriots need more depth along both their lines, and Robinson would be able to provide just that. He is a guy that can play multiple different positions on the defensive line; he can play everywhere from the nose to the edge, but he is probably best suited as a 3-technique.

He also holds the record for most games played in Nebraska history, playing for six years there. Because he was in school for so long, there’s some concern that he has reached his ceiling already and might not become a true impact player. However, he looks like a quality prospect who can stop the run, and occasionally get after the passer.

There are also some questions with his effectiveness against double teams. However, especially in the fourth round, I’ll take a guy who has been productive and has a very good chance to be a serviceable depth piece up front.

Round 5

5-145: OL Luke Kandra (Cincinnati | No. 142): As mentioned above, the Patriots have a big need for depth along both lines, and, although they took a tackle earlier, they could use some help on the inside as well. Enter Luke Kandra, who will most likely play guard but should be able to rep at center as well.

He is a mauler, and does a really nice job of getting to the second level in the running game. His foot speed may be a concern and a reason why he is available in the fifth round, but he should be a good depth option at least. He even might be able to jump right in and fight for a starting spot as a rookie.

Round 7

7-219: TE Jalin Conyers (Texas Tech | No. 218): You want an explosive, outside the box tight end? Jalin Conyers is your guy. He primarily lined up at tight end, but also played running back and took snaps as a wildcat quarterback. He’s not the best blocker, but he has some really exciting movement in the open space, and does a nice job getting open. Imagine all the fun that Josh McDaniels could have with him.

It may be a risky pick, but he’s exactly the type of guy to take a chance on in the seventh round.

7-222: LB Shemar James (Florida | No. 228): The Patriots struggled at linebacker last season. Part of that was Ja’Whaun Bentley missing the final 15 games of the season due to injury, but not having enough athletes at the position also hurt the team.

Shemar James will bring some of that athleticism to the position.

His technique in coverage needs some refinement, but he has the tools to do it and often did so for the Gators last year. He is also a great blitzer, finding the weak spots in the line to generate pressure on the opposing quarterback.

James is on the smaller side at 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, but Mike Vrabel has a track record of being OK with guys like that as long as they make up for it with their play. James definitely does that.

7-240: WR Isaac TeSlaa (Arkansas | No. 246): Originally attending Division II Hillsdale College, TeSlaa transferred to Arkansas for his final two seasons of eligibility. He has good size at 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds and offers some solid long speed: He also showed out at the Senior Bowl in both practices and the game.

On Day 3, I love the idea of taking dart throws on guys that have upside but haven’t realized their full potential yet. TeSlaa, just like Shemar James and Jalin Conyers before him, fits that bill perfectly.