With the first wave of free agency in the books, it\u2019s time to start looking forward to the 2020 NFL Draft. Free agency changes the needs of teams across the leagues, which obviously goes on to impact the NFL Draft. Analysts across the country are doing their best to break down these updated needs to give the clearest picture possible as to what to expect in a months\u2019 time. Without further ado, here is a New England Patriots mock draft roundup from all across the internet.<\/p>\n
Patrick Queen<\/em><\/p>\n The Patriots had one of the best defenses in football last year, but it was built upon an older, veteran core. New England needs to get younger at linebacker, especially considering the fact that Kyle Van Noy<\/a><\/strong> and Jamie Collins<\/a><\/strong> have both left for greener pastures. Not only can Patrick Queen<\/strong> be a short-term fix to losing Van Noy and Collins, but he has the skill set to develop into the eventual heir to Dont\u2019a Hightower<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Xavier McKinney [Scouting Report<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n Duron Harmon<\/a><\/strong> is gone, and Devin McCourty<\/a><\/strong> and Patrick Chung<\/a><\/strong> aren\u2019t getting any younger. For the vast majority of New England\u2019s two-decade run of dominance, the Patriots have had\u00a0at least one elite player at the safety position. McKinney has the chance to be the next guy after McCourty, and his ability to play in the box, in the slot, and over the top ensures that he\u2019ll have a role right out of the gate.<\/p>\n Jordan Love [Scouting Report<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n In case you live under a rock, Tom Brady<\/a><\/strong> is no longer a member of the New England Patriots. The greatest quarterback of all-time has officially left the building, and Jarrett Stidham<\/a><\/strong> is currently atop the depth chart. Adding a quarterback makes sense, and Love has a reasonably high ceiling. The Utah State product can make just about any throw imaginable, but he also is responsible for some of the most head-scratching decisions you\u2019ll ever see. If Belichick thinks he can coach away the bad decisions, then this could be a great value move.<\/p>\n A.J. Epenesa [Scouting Report<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n Edge defender A.J. Epenesa<\/strong> is never going to be a 15-sack guy, but he\u2019s a classic Bill Belichick<\/strong> type of player. The Iowa product is stout against both the run and the pass, knows how to set the edge, and isn\u2019t afraid to eat up blockers and free up others to make the big play. In many ways, he\u2019s a lot like former New England Patriots edge rusher Trey Flowers<\/a><\/strong>. Epenesa had a terrible day at the NFL Combine, but his film shows an athletic player that can succeed at the NFL level.<\/p>\n This is a three-round mock, so Sports Illustrated also has the Patriots going after linebacker Logan Wilson<\/strong>, wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones<\/strong>, and interior offensive lineman Jonah Jackson<\/strong> with their three third-round selections. Wilson could be a rotational linebacker right out of the gate, while Peoples-Jones could compete with N\u2019Keal Harry<\/strong> and Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong> for starting reps on offense. Jackson is buried on the bench but could fight to start if David Andrews<\/a><\/strong> isn\u2019t fully recovered from his blood clots.<\/p>\n Grant Delpit [Scouting Report<\/a>]<\/em><\/p>\n Grant Delpit<\/strong> and Xavier McKinney are universally accepted as the two best safeties in the 2020 NFL Draft class. While McKinney is the safer bet, Delpit carries the marginally higher ceiling. The Patriots aren\u2019t afraid to take risks with elite talents, and Delpit certainly has the raw skills to be a star in New England\u2019s secondary for years to come.<\/p>\n Main photo:NFL Mock Draft: Post-Free Agency Edition – Last Word on Pro Football<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Joe Marino \u2013 The Draft Network<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Sports Illustrated Three-Round NFL Mock Draft<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Will Brinson \u2013 CBS Sports<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>