Fan Mock Draft: Whom should the Patriots select No. 29 overall?
It’s draft time! We’ve had our experts tell you who will be drafted where, but now it’s time for you to throw on your GM cap and decide for yourself. Each day we will present an argument for each player and why the respective team should pick him. Then, it’s up to you. You make the pick. The next day, we will compile the results and you can see who is off the board. Disagree with all of the options? Be sure to write in your pick below in the comments section. OK, let’s get into it. The New England Patriots are on the clock.
The Patriots continue to have success in the AFC East, but look to build a roster that contends annually for the Lamar Hunt Trophy.
After the free-agency period, which included the signings of cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, the Patriots could be in the market to add some offensive firepower. Beefing up the pass rush is always a priority in New England, too.
As tight end Rob Gronkowski continues to rehab, would Bill Belichick ponder reviving the two tight end set? Options are aplenty in New England, so who should the Patriots select No. 28 overall?
1. Houston Texans select South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney
2. St. Louis Rams select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins
3. Jacksonville Jaguars select Central Florida quarterback Blake Bortles
4. Cleveland Browns select Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel
5. Oakland Raiders select Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack
6. Atlanta Falcons select Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans
8. Minnesota Vikings select Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr
9. Buffalo Bills select Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews
10. Detroit Lions select UCLA outside linebacker Anthony Barr
11. Tennessee Titans select Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater
12. New York Giants select Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald
13. St. Louis Rams select Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan
14. Chicago Bears select Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
15. Pittsburgh Steelers select Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert
16. Dallas Cowboys select Auburn defensive end Dee Ford
17. Baltimore Ravens select Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin
18. New York Jets select North Carolina tight end Eric Ebron
19. Miami Dolphins select Oregon State wide receiver Brandin Cooks
20. Arizona Cardinals select Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio
21. Green Bay Packers select Alabama linebacker CJ Mosley
22. Philadelphia Eagles select Louisville safety Calvin Pryor
23. Kansas City Chiefs select LSU wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
24. Cincinnati Bengals select Michigan State CB Darqueze Dennard
25. San Diego Chargers select Notre Dame DT Louis Nix
26. Cleveland Browns select USC WR Marqise Lee
Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde
Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley will enter the final years of their rookie deals. Belichick isn’t afraid to go against the popular consensus and select a running back in the first round if he deemed it necessary. Hyde is an exceptional ball carrier with good patience and quickness.
Texas Tech TE Jace Amaro
While the Patriots have Gronkowski, they’d love to find a replacement for Aaron Hernandez. Amaro has a very good blend of size and speed coupled with tremendous ball skills. Stories about Amaro’s junior season (106 receptions, 1,352 yards and 7 touchdowns) will be told in Lubbock for quite some time.
Indiana WR Cody Latimer
The Patriots have plenty of wide receivers on the roster, including the trio of second-year players Aaron Dobson, Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Thompkins. Adding Latimer would give them a reliable outside threat. Latimer has very good size and reliable hands.
Boise State DE Demarcus Lawrence
Lawrence has been one of the hottest rising prospects in the past month. Several teams have brought Lawrence in for a visit. The 6-foot-3, 251-pound defensive end is very athletic, but some may consider this a reach.