{"id":41142,"date":"2018-03-31T23:34:35","date_gmt":"2018-04-01T03:34:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=41142"},"modified":"2018-03-31T23:34:35","modified_gmt":"2018-04-01T03:34:35","slug":"new-england-patriots-mock-draft","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/03\/31\/new-england-patriots-mock-draft\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Mock Draft: Biggest Needs Filled Early"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the initial wave of free agency comes to an end, draft junkies everywhere begin to type up their very own mock drafts. NFL front offices begin the very same process; establishing draft boards and prioritizing positional needs to give their team that last push. <\/span><\/p>\n

For New England Patriots fans, this process has been bittersweet. Following an off-season in which the team added Brandin Cooks<\/a><\/strong>, Stephon Gilmore<\/a><\/strong>, Dwayne Allen<\/a><\/strong>, and Lawrence Guy<\/a><\/strong> to a Super Bowl winning team, fans have endured the losses of some long-stay Patriots (i.e. Nate Solder<\/a><\/strong>, Malcolm Butler<\/a><\/strong>, and Danny Amendola<\/a><\/strong>). However, with losses comes new faces to fill them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Notable Free Agent Moves<\/h2>\n

Through the first few weeks of the NFL new year, the Patriots have already poached two Cleveland Browns players, acquiring defensive tackle Danny Shelton<\/a><\/strong>, cornerback Jason McCourty<\/a><\/strong>, and a 2018 5th round pick in exchange for a 2019 3rd rounder and a 2018 6th round pick.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots have also added under-the-radar players such as Adrian Clayborn<\/a><\/strong>, Jeremy Hill<\/a><\/strong>, Cordarrelle Patterson<\/a><\/strong>, and Matt Tobin<\/a><\/strong> while retaining many core special teamers (Brandon Bolden<\/a><\/strong>, Nate Ebner<\/a><\/strong>, Matthew Slater<\/strong><\/a>, Marquis Flowers<\/a><\/strong>). <\/span><\/p>\n

However, Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> isn’t getting any younger. With the loss of left tackle Nate Solder to the Giants, the Patriots need to add offensive line talent to keep their QB on the field. Defensively, the Patriots still desperately need youth on all three levels, primarily the front seven.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three-Round Patriots Mock Draft Fills Biggest Needs Early<\/h1>\n

Primary Needs:<\/b> OT, LB, CB<\/span><\/h2>\n

Secondary Needs:<\/b> RB, TE, QB<\/span><\/h2>\n

Draft Picks (Round\/Pick\/Overall)<\/span><\/p>\n