Well, it’s been a week since the NFL Draft and I couldn’t be more excited about how the New England Patriots are set up.
I’ll go over some of my favorite picks, but before that, credit needs to be given to the front office and Head Coach Mike Vrabel.
After last season, I saw a lot of fans wanting Eliot Wolf fired. However, Wolf made it clear that last year, he got the job too late for New England to fully implement his draft system.
This year, that system was in place, and I’m a fan.
Listen, I know names on paper don’t mean much. Players need to buckle their chin straps and actually go out and show they’re good players.
But… you’re not a fan if you can’t get a little excited post-draft.
Let’s start at the top of the draft with Will Campbell. I love this pick.
Trust me, months ago, my fiancée asked me what I was listening to as I was playing a press conference of Campbell talking about where he grew up. That southern accent with his 6-foot-6, 310-pound frame is exactly what I want protecting the franchise quarterback.
“I’m going to fight and die to protect them,” said the left tackle as thousands of Patriots’ fans must’ve gotten goosebumps.
TreVeyon Henderson. I was a bit shocked at this pick, but it kind of goes with Wolf’s new draft system. It’s not just about taking the best player available; it’s about marrying players together.
The running back position wasn’t necessarily a need, but it was something the Pats could upgrade. Getting a speedster in Henderson will certainly benefit the team.
I like Rhamondre Stevenson, but he had some fumbling issues last season and isn’t the best when it comes to receiving. Henderson will be like James White (I hope), but is a much better runner and can take handoffs.
Maybe he’s a better version of Rex Burkhead, someone you can rely on to catch and run. I also view Henderson as a Jahmyr Gibbs, who is electric with the ball in his hands.
The next pick I liked was Kyle Williams – this guy can fly.
Last year, the Patriots wanted to “weaponize” the offense and get faster. Well, with Henderson and now Williams, you’re moving in the right direction. I don’t think Williams will be a perennial Pro Bowler or anything, but he gives the wide receiver room some speed and Drake Maye a deep threat. Williams is a great separator and can turn a 5-yard hitch into a 70-yard touchdown.
The fifth-round pick, LSU’s Bradyn Swinson, was an interesting one. A few media outlets had Swinson going in the top 100 and he fell to New England at No. 146, which is incredible value.
I don’t project Swinson being an every-down edge rusher – he struggled against the run in college – but I believe he can be a great pass rusher and rack up sacks in obvious passing situations.
There are two picks I’m going to combine that I really enjoyed: Marcus Bryant in the seventh round and Jared Wilson in the third – two offensive linemen with strong measurables.
Wilson, who can play guard, is projected to be a center during his career. At his size, he’s one of the more athletic players for his position in recent years. The Patriots signed a center this offseason, but if Wilson can come into camp and give Garrett Bradbury a run for his money, maybe it will be his job sooner rather than later.
As for Bryant, he was the left tackle at Missouri and possesses true size at 6-foot-7, 320 pounds. The seventh-round pick has his flaws, but if he can become a swing tackle and provide depth, that’s a great first step. Or, if he can become a solid right tackle – he’s played there in the past – once Morgan Moses retires, that spot could be his.
We’ll see how these rookies look with pads on, but I’m all for this direction.
