While the rest of the sports world is at a virtual standstill, it is business as usual for the NFL, for now at least. We are now less than a week away from the 2020 NFL Draft, which is going to look a whole lot different than what we are used to seeing. That aside, it’s great to be talking about football again, especially with very little else currently going on. Everyone has an opinion about what teams should do once the draft begins, but it is the New England Patriots who are seeing more interest than usual at draft time. They have some big holes to fill, so let’s take a look at their most glaring needs and how they might address them. Let’s see the 2020 NFL Draft Odds.
New England Patriots Draft Preview
The Patriot’s Most Glaring Hole
With Tom Brady bidding farewell to Foxboro and heading to Tampa, the obvious need would appear to be at QB, but the Patriots seem to think they have that problem solved. Rather than going pout and dipping their toe into the QB free agent market, which was rather busy this offseason, the Patriots have decided to roll the dice with Jarrett Stidham. The young man certainly showed some real promise last preseason, but the real thing is very different, and he is going to need some help.
With that in mind, don’t be surprised to see the Patriots draft a tight end with their first pick. There has been a glaring hole at the TE spot since Rob Gronkowski hung up his pads. Ben Watson, who was their best asset at that position last season, has since retired, which has made the situation that much worse. It would not be a huge surprise to see them draft a pair of TE’s in the draft given how thin they are there right now. Cole Kmet of Notre Dame and Hunter Bryant out of Washington look like probable first picks for the Patriots.
What Else Do the Patriots Need?
The next biggest need is at the LB position, with Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, and Elandon Roberts all leaving the Patriots in free agency. Those are some big holes that need to be filled, and while bringing in veteran Branson Copeland helps the cause a little, New England will still need to fill some LB spots via the draft. There are a lot of very good linebacker prospects available in the draft, with Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings out of Alabama among the most sought after.
Rumor has it that Brady was none to pleased about the lack of weapons he was given last season, and with the Patriots failing to address that situation in free agency, the GOAT decided it was time to go. They are, though, going to need to look at wide receivers in this draft, as they are also a little light in legitimate weapons there. If the Patriots decide to fill that hole in the earlier rounds, Tee Higgins out of Clemson might well be a guy that they take a serious look at.
