Resetting the Board for the Patriots After the Initial Wave of Free Agency

The Patriots came out of the initial free-agency wave with a remade defense after filling several holes on that side of the ball.

Following a season where they ranked 30th in DVOA, head coach Mike Vrabel and the Pats brass made positive strides in fixing the defense, which was as in need of a facelift as the offense. It was good to see a calculated approach with a clear vision for how the coaches will integrate the defensive players added in free agency. For example, prized free agent addition Milton Williams projects nicely into a game-wrecking role in the interior defensive line, a spot that Vrabel and DC Terrell Williams have utilized well over the years, while CB Carlton Davis will pair great with All-Pro CB Christian Gonzalez to form a shutdown tandem.

Although the defense improved, the Patriots still have work to do on offense. They’ve yet to add a left tackle or a needle-moving playmaker. However, following a thoughtful approach to rebuilding the defense, one would think that the “big three” decision-makers of Vrabel, EVP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf, and VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden will come out of draft weekend with a major acquisition at tackle and receiver.

After doing a “dream scenario” mock draft where Heisman winner Travis Hunter fell to the Patriots at No. 4 overall, this simulation will project a seven-round draft for New England where Hunter and top pass-rusher Abdul Carter are off the board, so keep that in mind.

Here’s a second stab at a Patriots mock draft following the initial wave of free agency.

First Round, No. 4 Overall: OT Will Campbell, LSU

This pick won’t be popular with everyone. However, the Patriots need to upgrade the talent level along their offensive line. They have holes to fill at left tackle and left guard, and mock drafts are about predicting what the Patriots might do. For those reasons, we can’t dismiss Campbell because he doesn’t have the ideal arm length to play tackle…