Mel Kiper Jr. Projects Patriots Picks For First Three Rounds Of Draft

The New England Patriots made a big splash in free agency and head coach Bill Belichick will take a similar approach in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. The team will make three selections in the first three rounds of the draft.

Mel Kiper Jr. said that Belichick and his staff will only make two. The veteran draft analyst released his most recent three-round mock draft. He believes the Patriots will trade up to No.7 to get Mac Jones. He said this draft with the Detroit Lions would cost Belichick the 46^th overall pick in the second round and a few future selections.

“I have Jones slightly ahead of Trey Lance, and I think he’s more ready to play as a rookie, particularly for a team that made several win-now moves this offseason,” Kiper wrote for ESPN.com. “Plus, Josh McDaniels has already proven that he can game plan for a pocket passer with tremendous accuracy.”

Patriots to make big moves in the draft

Following the signing of Jones, New England wouldn’t pick again until the 96^th overall. That’s what Kiper suggests. He believes that the Patriots would boost the secondary through cornerback Tay Gowan out of Central Florida.

“Gowan has upside as a press corner on the outside, but he might need some time to develop, considering he has just one season of FBS play on his resume,” Kiper wrote. “But Stephon Gilmore is potentially a free agent in 2022, so cornerback depth is welcomed in New England.”

We will have to wait for some time to see if Kiper is right about the mock draft. The first round of the draft is set to take place next Thursday. That’s April 29. The remaining rounds are set for April 30 and May 1. This draft is really important for the Patriots. They are rebuilding the roster and Belichick has already signed some great players in the first few weeks of free agency.

New England will look a lot different in 2021. Team owner Robert Kraft must be happy with his current team. He has top players and Cam Newton leading the charge.