ESPN’s Todd McShay has created a first round mock draft and the New England Patriots have the final pick in the first round, implying a Super Bowl victory, just as the football gods intended.
The Patriots needs in 2017 are far from established because free agency will go a long way in determining need. Can the Patriots re-sign TE Martellus Bennett? Will the Patriots bring back RB LeGarrette Blount? What will happen to ED Jabaal Sheard and ED Chris Long? Do the Patriots want CB Logan Ryan and S Duron Harmon to return?
The midseason acquisitions of CB Eric Rowe and LB Kyle Van Noy have certainly buttressed the existing roster to reduce needs moving forward. Hopefully the Patriots can bring back all of these players, because then the Patriots will have no real weakness on the roster and will be able to draft the best player available.
And so with that in mind, McShay projects Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey to the Patriots at 32nd overall.
“Bill Belichick and Tom Brady would have fun figuring out creative ways to utilize McCaffrey's versatile skill set,” McShay writes. “He's a true threat in both the run and pass game, finishing his college career with nearly 4,000 rushing yards and 1,206 receiving yards. He has a rare combination of vision, lateral agility and acceleration, which shows up in the return game, too.”
Over the past two seasons, McCaffrey has averaged 26.9 touches for 183.1 yards and 1.2 touchdowns every game. He has picked up 4,577 yards from scrimmage and 29 touchdowns over 25 games. He has also served as an exception kick and punt returner.
The 6’0, 200 pound McCaffrey could be a Matt Forte-type addition to the Patriots ofense, but would be the definition of a luxury addition. The team has James White and Dion Lewis under contract, along with D.J. Foster. Blount and Brandon Bolden would be cheap additions, too.
The Patriots would be better off addressing running back, which is an especially deep position in this draft class, in a later round and should look at added another body to the trenches.
The offensive line might be all set, with Nate Solder, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, and Marcus Cannon as the starters, and with Cameron Fleming, who should return as a restricted free agent, as the top back-up tackle and with Ted Karras and Tre Jackson as the top interior linemen. But if a top-20 caliber offensive lineman falls, don’t be surprised if the Patriots pounce.
Additionally, the defensive side of the ball could receive an injection of talent. While Alan Branch is playing out of his mind, and Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine, and Woodrow Hamilton provide quality play, there is always room for more talent on the interior with Branch advancing in age. The Patriots could also add another blue chip edge defender to either step into the starting lineup in 2017, or ultimately replace whichever veteran pass rusher returns by 2018.