Patriots 7-round Mock Draft 1.0: Drake Maye selected No. 3, jumpstarts post-Belichick era in Foxborough
New England Patriots select an interesting prospect on the defensive side of the ball
If Bill Belichick was running this draft, a player like Javon Solomon may have been a reach earlier in the draft, but in the fifth round the edge out of Troy is a player to take a flyer on.
. Troy University. Javon Solomon. 2159. Javon Solomon. Edge. 131. player. Patriots Mock - Solomon.
Yes, the Patriots have a need at the edge position, but with Matthew Judon back next season, they should be ok, especially if they address that need in free agency. There is still the possibility the team re-signs Josh Uche. Whatever happens, adding the 6-foot-2, 249-pound outside linebacker could be another solid pick for the Patriots.
Playing at Troy, Solomon racked up 16 sacks and 3 forced fumbles in 2024. With a combination of speed and power, he will remind Patriots fans of Uche as far as what he can do off the edge. Learning behind a player like Judon, Solomon will have the opportunity to learn while he fills out his athletic frame even more.
Again, given where he went to school Solomon is an unknown in the draft, but a player who can emerge as an effective pass rusher in the NFL, especially if he has the right coaching and players to learn from. Doesn’t get any better than Judon and Jerod Mayo has his head coach.