The New England Patriots barely have a sense of what their haul will produce from the 2019 NFL Draft, and yet Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling is focusing on what might come in the 2020 draft.
He put together a two-round mock draft, which has the draft position determined by Super Bowl odds, to make a too-early projection of what might come in next year’s draft. In the mock, the Patriots land a defensive end, whose production could balloon in 2019, and a receiver, who could make the future bright for New England’s passing attack.
32: Jabari Zuniga | EDGE | Florida
Regardless of whether the Patriots see surprise standout emerge at the defensive end position in 2019, they’d be happy to add depth at the position. While being on the same defensive front as third-round pick Jachai Polite last season, Zuniga had 11 sacks in 2018. That came after eight sacks in 2017 and 8.5 in 2016. He also had 45 tackles in 2018.
Zuniga would be an immediate compliment to Michael Bennett, if he stays through his full contract terms which expire after the 2020 season. Even after drafting defensive end Chase Winovich in the third round of the 2019 draft, the Patriots will need more, young talent on the EDGE. The addition of Zuniga would be a welcome one.
64: K.J. Hill | WR | Ohio State
Their second-round pick proves to be a compliment to N’Keal Harry, who New England drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft. Hill was wise to forgo the draft this year. He will need to prove himself as a more versatile threat in 2019 with the Buckeyes by broadening his route tree and demonstrating the ability to create separation. His catch radius is limited, which would put an emphasis on his ability to get open in the NFL. He could continue that work in New England, where Julian Edelman is one of the best separators in the business.
