2021 NFL Draft: New England Patriots seven-round mock draft
By John Blair
New England Patriots’ fourth-round pick
Pick Analysis. ILB. 4. player. 47. Scouting Report. Alabama. Dylan Moses
The New England Patriots finally address the defensive side of the ball on the final day of the 2021 NFL Draft. The area they chose to address in middle linebacker as the only high caliber player at this position is Dont’a Hightower, who decided to opt-out of the 2020 season. He will also be 31 next year, and might not have much time left with the Patriots as he will be a free agent in 2022.
A player the team would love to get this late in the draft would be Alabama inside linebacker Dylan Moses. Moses could slide in the draft as he struggled this past season, and missed the entire 2019 season with a torn ACL. Despite his struggles, he would still be a great pick here as he is extremely athletic and one of the most aggressive linebackers in the 2021 NFL Draft linebacker class.
New England Patriots Fourth Round Pick (This is a project compensatory pick for losing Jamie Collins)
47. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR. Clemson. Amari Rodgers. player. 4
If you look back at the Patriots’ 2020 NFL Draft, you will see the team is not afraid to double up on a position in the draft. The team took two outside linebackers in Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings in the second round and third round and two tight ends only ten picks apart in Devin Asiasi and Dalton Keene in the 2020 NFL Draft. I look for them to have a similar philosophy when they draft Amari Rodgers in the fourth round, after taking Elijah Moore in the third round.
Clemson’s Amari Rodgers had a breakout season this year for the Tigers as he posted career highs in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He also became a more complete receiver this year as he developed more into a downfield threat. In addition to his ability to help as a receiver, Rodgers has experience returning punts which would be a nice little bonus for the New England Patriots.
New England Patriots’ fourth-round pick (This is a project compensatory pick for losing Kyle Van Noy)
47. Oklahoma. player. Ronnie Perkins. 4. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. DE
Another position on the defensive side of the ball the New England Patriots must address is the defensive line. While Chase Winovich has proven he can get after the passer, the Patriots need someone to play opposite of him. This is even a bigger need when you factor in the other primary defensive ends on the Patriots defensive line will be free agents this offseason.
The reason you could see Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins slip in the 2021 NFL Draft has very little to do with his football ability, but more to deal with his off the field concerns. Perkins had to serve a six-game suspension over the past two years due to a failed drug test. This incident will likely scare teams off especially since they won’t have a chance to sit down with him in person prior to the draft.
On the field, Perkins has been one of the best defensive linemen in the Big 12. In just six games this season, he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He also displays nice athletic ability and would give the Patriots the option of either bulking him up and playing him as a 3-4 defensive end or moving him to outside linebacker.