The Patriots same they need to increase their offense.
Just don’t be surprised if Bill Belichick uses New England’s first choice in the NFL’s 2021 Draft – 15th overall – on a defensive player.
Lance Zierlein of NFL Media, a draft analyst, explained Thursday on the WEEI “Dale and Keefe” that circumstances may prevent the Patriots from selecting a quarterback or wide receiver in the first round.
“I think more than likely the positions you are talking about with the Patriots draft, you would have to move up a bit for your quarterback or your wide receiver,” said Zierlein, as transcribed by WEEI.com. “I don’t see the Patriots switching to a wide receiver. It definitely does not appear in your draft story under Bill Belichick. “
Of course, that would not be the end of the world for New England, which has a ton of salary cap this off-season. The Patriots could target offensive offensive game creators in free agency and perhaps even guarantee a viable veteran quarterback through the open market or trade.
Is it ideal? Of course. The Patriots would love it if an elite QB or broad perspective fell to them in 15th place, even if they were still going in a different direction. The draft board may not work that way.
ESPN’s Todd McShay projected in his last mock draft Thursday that five quarterbacks – Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance and Mac Jones – will be selected from the first nine choices, with four coming off the board to open the first round .
McShay predicted that the Patriots will put Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons at No. 15. And that looks like a reasonable expectation based on how Zierlein sees the domino potentially falling.
“I would say more than likely where you are writing, pass rush, this is where pass rushers are going to start off the board,” said Zierlein, according to WEEI.com. “There are some guys up and down. Some guys who really have some athletic talent that I think Bill Belichick will like in the middle of the first one, possibly even a shot from outside in a corner, if that’s something he wanted.
“… The attack line and the rush pass are where you should see a race start somewhere in the middle of the first round”.
When it comes to recruiting for the NFL, Belichick always seems to zigzag when everyone else does. Therefore, we should probably not rule out anything, even though New England’s most glaring needs are obvious on paper.
Miniature photo via Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports Images