2021 NFL Draft: Recap and analysis of every pick for all 32 teams

1 (15): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

The Patriots seemed like one of the likeliest teams in the 2021 NFL Draft to trade up for a quarterback, but they didn’t have to. The Bill Belichick-Nick Saban connection wins again here as Mac Jones comes to the Patriots, who just spent about a billion dollars in free agency to reload their roster.

One of the big “knocks” on Jones at Alabama was the fact that he had such a strong supporting cast. Now he has the best coach in NFL history and some weapons in Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith, and Nelson Agholor to get the ball to.

2 (38): Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama

The Patriots saw an opportunity early in the second round and jumped at it. They doubled up on Crimson Tide players by moving up for Christian Barmore, who surprisingly fell out of the first round.

Barmore is a long, athletic, physical presence on the defensive line who is still coming into his own. He joins a Patriots defensive front that added some huge pieces in 2021.

3 (96): Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma

The tape shows Ronnie Perkins to be a powerful dude off the edge with starting potential at the next level, but multiple suspensions likely pushed his draft grade from the second to the third round.

Still, New England has a history of those types of players thriving in their system. Perkins was probably a worthwhile risk for them here.

4 (120): Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma

After doubling up in the first- and second-round on Alabama players, the Patriots go back-to-back Sooners in the third- and fourth-round.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a no-nonsense back who looks for bodies to run through, but uses surprisingly nimble footwork as well to avoid being tackled cleanly. like Perkins, Stevenson was suspended in 2019.

5 (177): Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan

The sample on Cameron McGrone is so small that he fell to the fifth round, but in a deep linebacker class, he could prove to be one of the best values. His play speed is tremendous and he attacks with reckless abandon. He needs to refine his game and injuries are an issue here, but I like this fit for him.

6 (188): Joshuah Bledsoe, S, Missouri

Bledsoe showed impressive ball skills at Missouri with 19 passes broken up in the last three seasons, including 17 in the last two years (along with 7.0 tackles for loss the past two seasons).

6 (197): Will Sherman, OT, Colorado

Sherman started 27 games at Colorado with 15 coming at left tackle and 12 at right tackle. His experience at both spots and potential projection to guard give him a shot to stick immediately.

7 (242): Trey Nixon, WR, UCF

Nixon struggled some with drops but he’s got intriguing athletic traits and 13 of his 109 college catches went for touchdowns.