{"id":42751,"date":"2018-04-24T18:27:35","date_gmt":"2018-04-24T22:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=42751"},"modified":"2018-04-24T18:27:35","modified_gmt":"2018-04-24T22:27:35","slug":"new-england-patriots-mock-draft-final-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/04\/24\/new-england-patriots-mock-draft-final-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"New England Patriots Mock Draft: Final Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draft fans, the wait is almost over. After grueling months of waiting, predicting, and anticipating, the <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/last-word-on-pro-football-2018-nfl-draft-headquarters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2018 NFL Draft is finally here<\/a>. Finalize your mock drafts, turn on NFL Network, and get ready for one wild weekend. A quick look around the NFL landscape foreshadows a jam-packed draft in the works. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cleveland Browns<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buffalo Bills<\/a><\/span>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New England Patriots<\/a> all hold multiple first round selections, and teams such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Giants<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Indianapolis Colts<\/a> have already declared themselves open for business.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For Patriots fans, the draft only brings about more news on the rumor mill. After the Patriots lost key contributors to their Super Bowl team in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SoldNa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nate Solder<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LewiDi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dion Lewis<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AmenDa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Danny Amendola<\/a><\/strong>, fans have endured months of speculation on <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/09\/tom-brady-career-nowhere-near-end\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">the futures of both <strong>Tom Brady<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/05\/retirement-rob-gronkowski\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rob Gronkowski<\/strong>. <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the first time in the Bill Belichick era, the Patriots are primed to make four selections in the first two rounds of the draft (barring another trade). Notably acquiring the 23rd overall selection from the Los Angeles Rams in the <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/03\/patriots-trade-brandin-cooks-rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Brandin Cooks<\/strong> blockbuster<\/a>, the Patriots\u2019 options when they are on the clock <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/04\/brandin-cooks-trade-mean-patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">increase ten fold<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In our <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/03\/31\/new-england-patriots-mock-draft\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">previous mock draft<\/a>, we outlined the pre-trade, three round edition of the Patriots\u2019 mock draft. However, in the spirit of draft season, we will now detail potential Patriots\u2019 options for every selection in the upcoming draft.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final New England Patriots Mock Draft <\/span><\/h1>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary Needs: LB, CB, OT<\/span><\/h3>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondary Needs: TE, QB, RB<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Draft Picks (Round\/Pick\/Overall)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1\/23\/23<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1\/31\/31<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2\/11\/43<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2\/31\/63<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3\/31\/95<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6\/24\/198<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6\/36\/210<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7\/1\/21<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is a lot of early-round draft capital for Bill Belichick and the crew to work with. Belichick is no stranger to trades, either upwards or downwards. The likelihood he chooses to sit out from picks 95 to 198 is highly unlikely, and likely will result in the Patriots moving a second round selection to acquire more mid-round picks. However, since Belichick is impossible to predict, we will not be anticipating trades. With that being said, let\u2019s jump into the full Patriots\u2019 mock draft.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 1: Pick 23 (23rd Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: N\/A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Rashaan Evans (LB, Alabama)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/17\/leighton-vander-esch-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Leighton Vander Esch<\/a> (LB, Boise St.), <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/08\/derrius-guice-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Derrius Guice<\/a> (RB, LSU)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots have a unique opportunity to pair two former Alabama linebackers together on the same defense. Joining <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HighDo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/strong><\/a> in the linebacking core, Rashaan Evans can offer a perfect complement to fill out one of the Patriots\u2019 biggest needs. Evans possesses good length and speed to thrive in the Patriots\u2019 attacking defense, and can offer new defensive coordinator Brian Flores a unique piece with All-Pro upside.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 1: Pick 31 (31st Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: Kolton Miller (OT, UCLA)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Mason Rudolph (QB, Oklahoma St.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/26\/isaiah-oliver-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Isaiah Oliver<\/a> (CB, Colorado), <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/22\/sam-hubbard-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Hubbard<\/a> (DE, Ohio St.)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Patriots acquiring a second first round pick enables the team to fill more of their needs early, and have some fun in the process. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BradTo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Brady<\/a> is not getting any younger, and the team has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patspulpit.com\/2018\/4\/23\/17267452\/its-time-for-a-new-quarterback-in-new-england-patriots-nfl-draft\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">linked to nearly every top quarterback prospect<\/a> in this year\u2019s class. It is not likely the Patriots trade up to select the likes of <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/03\/13\/josh-rosen-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Rosen<\/a> or <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/12\/baker-mayfield-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baker Mayfield<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/10\/lamar-jackson-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lamar Jackson<\/a> has risen out of the Patriots\u2019 range.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mason Rudolph offers the perfect balance in this situation. Possessing the best deep-accuracy in this class, Rudolph emulates the Patriots\u2019 pocket-passing, play action calling quarterback they have in Tom Brady. While he is not ready to start in the NFL just yet, the Patriots offer Rudolph a chance to learn behind the greatest QB to ever play, and step in a few years from now. By selecting him at the end of the first round, the Patriots also get a fifth year of team control over Rudolph, something they wish they had with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GaroJi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Garoppolo<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 2: Pick 11 (43rd Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: Lorenzo Carter (LB, Georgia)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Justin Reid (S, Stanford)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: Lorenzo Carter (LB, Georgia), Isaiah Oliver (CB, Colorado)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you could pick one player in this draft class that fits the Patriot way, it\u2019s Stanford product Justin Reid. <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/03\/justin-reid-could-be-a-star-for-the-new-england-patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">We previously outlined Reid\u2019s potential fit with the Patriots<\/a>, and his range lines up perfectly with this selection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reid is classified as a safety, yet plays all over the defense. During his Stanford tenure, Reid played seven different positions and thrived at each. Furthermore, Reid offers a seamless improvement over another Stanford-alum-turned-Patriot, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RichJo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jordan Richards<\/a>. Reid\u2019s high football IQ and versatility could change the Patriots\u2019 defense for years to come, and exemplifies a Patriots\u2019 defensive prospect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 2: Pick 31 (63rd Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: Justin Reid (S, Stanford)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Brian O\u2019Neil (OT, Pitt)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: <a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/06\/hayden-hurst-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hayden Hurst<\/a> (TE, South Carolina), Donte Jackson (CB, LSU)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With reports of 2017 third-round selection Antonio Garcia\u2019s return to health coupled with the resigning of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WaddLa01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LaAdrian Waddle<\/a><\/strong>, the Patriots\u2019 need for a Nate Solder replacement does not appear as imminent as before. However, the Patriots could still use a high-upside tackle to compete with Waddle and Garcia. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enter Brian O\u2019Neil. O\u2019Neil fits all of the typical Patriots\u2019 physical requirements in regards to both length and athleticism. Coming from a zone-blocking scheme, he needs to add core strength and discipline, but coming at the end of the second round is value the Patriots cannot afford to pass up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 3: Pick 31 (95th Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: Kyle Lauletta (QB, Richmond)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Nyheim Hines (RB, N.C. State)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: DaeSean Hamilton (WR, Penn State), Nick Nelson (CB, Wisconsin)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N.C. State\u2019s Nyheim Hines has the potential to be the biggest steal of this draft. Possessing blazing speed and a dual-threat potential, Hines resembles the mid-round steals that were <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CoheTa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tarik Cohen<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KamaAl00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alvin Kamara<\/a><\/strong> a year ago. With the loss of do-it-all back Dion Lewis still fresh, the Patriots can act fast in this draft to find Lewis\u2019 replacement (and potential upgrade) option. Hines has the potential to step right into the void left by Lewis, and contribute right away to the Patriots\u2019 backfield. All teams that pass on Hines, beware.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 6: Pick 24 (198th Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: N\/A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Braxton Berrios (WR, Miami)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: Equanimeous St. Brown (WR, Notre Dame), Kylie Fitts (DL, Utah)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We said earlier that Justin Reid is the definition of a perfect Patriots\u2019 defensive prospect. Similarly, Miami\u2019s Braxton Berrios is the mold of a Patriots\u2019 receiver. Listed at 5\u20199\u201d, 186 lbs, Berrios has the ability to dominate from the slot and contribute as a special teams star at the next level. A late round flier on the Miami product could prove a valuable replacement for recently departed Danny Amendola.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 6: Pick 36 (210th Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: N\/A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Troy Fumagalli (TE, Wisconsin)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: Dylan Cantrell (WR, Texas Tech), Joshua Kalu (S, Nebraska)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These later rounds get a little dicey and hard to predict, and in most cases teams take late-round fliers on positions of need and hope they stick. Wisconsin\u2019s Troy Fumagalli may not last until this pick, but if he does the Patriots should not hesitate to pull the trigger. His production at Wisconsin speaks for itself, and offers upside in regards to blocking and two tight end sets. At the very least, it gives the Patriots roster competition for the tight ends behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GronRo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rob Gronkowski<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Round 7: Pick 1 (219th Overall)<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Previous Pick: N\/A<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Pick: Joshua Kalu (S, Nebraska)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other Fits: Chase Edmonds (RB, Fordham), Ray-Ray McCloud (WR, Clemson)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can never have enough defensive backs. While Justin Reid was already added in this mock draft, he is a defensive weapon not limited to the safety position. Kalu has explosive capability and can offer a nice depth and competition option for an aging Patriots\u2019 secondary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overview: <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Overall, the Patriots address almost every area of concern in this mock, ending up with the following players:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/03\/20\/rashaan-evans-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rashaan Evans<\/a> (LB)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/03\/26\/mason-rudolph-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mason Rudolph<\/a> (QB)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/24\/justin-reid-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Reid<\/a> (S)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/02\/08\/brian-oneill-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian O\u2019Neil<\/a> (OT)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/14\/nyheim-hines-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nyheim Hines<\/a> (RB)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Braxton Berrios (WR)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/04\/17\/troy-fumagalli-2018-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Troy Fumagalli<\/a> (TE)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Joshua Kalu (S)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is likely Bill Belichick does not follow this exact format come draft day, and may end up making a trade to blow up the NFL landscape. In any case, the Patriots are in a prime position to add a youthful infusion of talent to a Super Bowl winning roster, an opportunity that does not present itself often.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"l4EinfH3Rm5HU3r92NLcmg\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/926766636\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'l4EinfH3Rm5HU3r92NLcmg',sig:'L4DDG0NfONEjdc3WE-Nmrn1ZBaiK0oErkAhY503osZM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'926766636',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New England Patriots Mock Draft; Draft fans, the wait is almost over. After grueling months of waiting, predicting, and anticipating, the 2018 NFL Draft is finally here. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2536,"featured_media":42776,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,5],"tags":[2580,430,61,3788,3573,38,40,1173,3825,3706],"class_list":["post-42751","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-patriots","tag-2018-nfl-draft","tag-bill-belichick","tag-football","tag-justin-reid","tag-mason-rudolph","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-nfl-draft","tag-nyheim-hines","tag-rashaan-evans"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42751","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2536"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=42751"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42751\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42776"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=42751"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=42751"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=42751"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}