7-round Patriots mock draft 2.0 | Mark Daniels

The Patriots need to hit on their draft picks.

That’ll be the quickest and easiest way for Mike Vrabel’s team to get out of the AFC East basement they’ve been in. If they’re going to do that, however, the Patriots also need to shore up their roster deficiencies.

It makes for an interesting question:

Do you draft for need or best available?

In this mock draft, we do both. This exercise features us drafting a player in the first round who just might be the best player on the board – due to Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter likely being gone. Although the Patriots signed several defensive veteran free agents, they could still add another prospect to that side of the ball.

If that happens, the Patriots must get their picks right after the first round. Here, we focus on players well-connected to the Patriots in this pre-draft process.

Here’s a look:

First round, pick 4:

Jalon Walker, Georgia, LB, 6-1, 243 pounds

It’s easy to see why the Patriots like Walker. He’s a high-character prospect with defensive versatility. He’s athletic enough to play inside linebacker, outside linebacker, and as an edge rusher. Walker would be a good chess piece for Mike Vrabel’s defense. He won the Butkus Award given to the nation’s top linebacker. Walker finished 60 tackles, 10.5 for loss, with 6.5 sacks last season. He also played on special teams, blocking a punt in 2022. A son of a coach, they rave about his leadership abilities at Georgia.

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Second round, pick 38:

Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota, 6-6, 331 pounds

The Patriots need to land a left tackle in this draft. Ersery started on the left side for the last three seasons for Minnesota. He earned All-Big honors every year. Last year, he was a Second-team All-American and the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He hits on most athletic traits the Patriots look for in a tackle prospect. Ersery’s technique needs to be refined but he’s one of the better tackle prospects in this draft. The Patriots had him in for a pre-draft visit.

Third round, pick 69:

Joshua Farmer, Florida State, DT, 6-3, 305 pounds

The Patriots have big money tied into Milton Williams and Christian Barmore but could use more depth at defensive tackle and they’d get that with Farmer. A team captain, Farmer has the leadership qualities the Patriots desire. Last year, he led Florida State in sacks with four with 32 tackles, eight for loss. He earned Honorable Mention All-ACC honors. The Patriots had him in for a pre-draft visit.

Third round, pick 77:

Kyle Williams, Washington, WR, 5-11, 190 pounds

The Patriots should keep taking shots at the receiver position until they get it right. Williams was Washington’s X-receiver over the last two seasons. He finished with 70 receptions, 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Williams was fourth in the FBS in receiving touchdowns. He was a freshman All-American with UNLV before transferring to Washington. Williams needs to work on his route runner but he’s a home-run threat. The Patriots had him in for a pre-draft visit.

Fourth round, pick 106:

Cam Skattebo, Arizona State, RB, 5-9, 219 pounds

If Vrabel wants a tough, versatile running back, Skattebo fits the bill. He’s an aggressive runner, who set a school record with 1,711 yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. Skattebo is a threat out of the backfield, catching 45 passes for 605 yards last season. He’d provide a nice compliment to Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. Skattebo earned First-team All-American honors and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.

Fifth round, pick 144:

Caleb Rodgers, Texas Tech, OG, 6-5, 312

Rodgers is one of the most versatile offensive line prospects in this draft. At Texas Tech, he started 55 games at four different positions – right tackle (35), left tackle (34), right guard (two), and left guard (two). Rodgers also practiced at center. He profiles as a versatile guard in the NFL. Rodgers is an outstanding athlete with the ability to squat 600 pounds. A team captain, he was on Texas Tech’s leadership council as a sophomore.

Fifth round, pick 171:

Nick Martin, Oklahoma State, LB, 5-11, 221

Martin fits the linebacker prototype that Vrabel is looking for. He played inside linebacker at Oklahoma State. He had 140 tackles as a sophomore in 2023. Last season, however, he suffered a right knee injury that limited him to five games. A two-time captain, he has outstanding leadership qualities. Martin also profiles as a core special teamer. He had a pre-draft visit with the Patriots.

Seventh round, pick 220:

Max Brosmer, Minnesota, QB, 6-2, 218

Joe Milton III didn’t want to be a third-string quarterback, so the Patriots should find someone to fit that role. A quarterback with local ties, Brosmer is an athletic and accurate passer. He set Minnesota’s single-season completion record last year (268). He’s a good processor and known for his football IQ. Brosmer threw for 2,828 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. He started his collegiate career at New Hampshire.

Seventh round, pick 238:

Ben Sauls, Pittsburgh, K, 5-10, 182

The Patriots are embarking on another offseason where we’ll see a kicker competition. Sauls is a left-footed kicker, which is rare in the NFL. He made 87.5% (21-of-24) of his field goal attempts last season. He was 6-of-7 from 50-plus yards and had a long of 58. He was perfect on his extra point attempts (44-of-44) and had 61-of-80 kickoffs land for touchbacks.