NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pass Receivers?
The New England Patriots have multiple avenues they can explore this offseason as it pertains to roster building. They have some holes to fill, with wide receiver being the headline need.
But in the latest two-round mock draft from ESPN, the Patriots instead fill two other needs with their first two picks.
At No. 14 overall, ESPN projects New England to select Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
"The younger Porter has his father's tough demeanor on the field but is a silky smooth mover in space and has awesome length at 6-2 and 200 pounds," ESPN said about Porter. "He grabbed just one interception in college but had 11 pass breakups, as Big Ten quarterbacks largely ignored his side of the field. With his physical play, instincts and length, Porter feels like a perfect fit in New England."
Despite Marcus and Jack Jones, both rookies, showing promise, the Patriots adding Porter Jr. would give them a true No. 1 corner that they really hadn't had since letting go of Stephon Gilmore.
Then at No. 46, the Patriots were projected to take an offensive tackle, Matthew Bergeron, out of Syracuse. The first nor second-round selections could be described as the "sexy" picks but ones that are needed.
Selecting Bergeron gives New England a potential replacement for Isaiah Wynn, whose contract expires this offseason.
"Bergeron would fill a huge need at a massive value. At 6-5 and 323 pounds, he doesn't have the quickness for every team, but his power and length show up routinely."
- ESPN
While many fans will want to see the Patriots use their draft capital on adding another weapon for Mac Jones and the offense, these two selections could mean they look to free agency and the trade market to fill their need at receiver.
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