Fansided
Fansided

2022 NFL Mock Draft: Jets Defense Rebuilt In 3-Round Projection

By Christopher Thomas

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 18: Derek Stingley Jr. #7 of the LSU Tigers warms up prior to a game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Tiger Stadium on September 18, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
30 of 41
Next
Nakobe Dean, 2022 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Nakobe Dean, 2022 NFL Mock Draft. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

29. New England Patriots: Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Georgia

Over the last couple of weeks, there has not been a hotter team in the league than the New England Patriots. They have won five straight games and have won six of their last seven. At this point of the season, it isn’t crazy to think that the Patriots are the best team in the AFC. What is crazy about the Patriots being impressive is that they have started a rookie quarterback all season long. Mac Jones has looked like everything people thought he would be coming out of Alabama but better. He doesn’t make extremely flashy plays, but he puts the ball where it needs to be and doesn’t make many mistakes.

New England has been able to win as many games as they have because of the great play of their defense. Over the last couple of weeks, New England’s defense has been by far the best in the league. They have done a great job suffocating offenses allowing New England’s offense to put up a lead and run the clock out.

Despite how well the defense has played, New England could very well address the defensive side of the ball early in this upcoming draft. Head Coach/General Manager Bill Belichick prides himself on his defense. They also could have a few holes at safety, cornerback, and linebacker at the end of the year. New England fixes one of those potential needs with their first selection in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

Dont’a Hightower, Ja’Wuan Bentley, and Kyle Van Noy are all free agents after this season. New England has drafted a couple of outside linebackers with high draft picks including Josh Uche and Ronnie Perkins. But the Patriots are lacking a young player who can play inside linebacker and could replace one if not all of them.

Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean is considered the best inside linebacker in this year’s draft class. He is capable of both blitzing and dropping back into coverage. He would be leaving the best defense in college football and joining the best defense in the NFL.

Bill Belichick could be interested in adding an athlete like Dean at linebacker to potentially Donta Hightower’s replacement going forward. Belichick has gotten stellar play from young defensive players throughout the years and especially recently. Dean could be the latest Patriots star player that they find in the NFL Draft.

Home/Mock Drafts