No one really seems to know what New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady will do as free agency draws near. There is clearly a chance he could leave the team when free agency opens on March 18.
If that happened, the Patriots would have to enact whatever contingency plan they have in place. If Brady is Plan A, Bill Belichick will proceed with Plan B (or C or D). Eventually, the free agency frenzy will end. And folks will look toward the draft. This mock draft is based upon a hypothetical scenario where Brady does depart, leaving the Patriots to sort out their quarterback position for 2020. This mock draft is roughly based off a FanSpeak simulation, though I added in a few trades (because it’s impossible to guess what Belichick might do, if you don’t include some trades).
First Round, 23rd overall: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
The best receivers were off the board, and while Jordan Love was available, he doesn’t quite seem like the right prospect for New England. He’s an ideal quarterback from the shoulders down. But he may not aptitude for the game and the quick processing power that the Patriots desire. So they’ll go with Murray, who is a little undersized to play linebacker for New England. Still, he’s a day-one starter, who will make the front-seven more athletic. He could be a crucial contributor, if Elandon Roberts, Jamie Collins and Kyle Van Noy leave in free agency.
Second Round, DRAFT-DAY TRADE: Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia
The Patriots package two of their third round picks to get into the second round, where they get Fromm. This isn’t their effort to anoint him as a starter. To the contrary, the Patriots would be wise to get one veteran in the mix, like Marcus Mariota, if Tom Brady leaves. Mariota, or someone like him, can be the bridge quarterback while Fromm and Jarrett Stidham spend the season competing for the job in 2021.
Third Round, Compensatory Selection: Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
He’s a weird draft prospect, with unique size (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) and speed (4.42-second 40-yard dash). Prior to the combine workouts, he was fielding questions about a move to tight end. After he logged his 40-yard dash, he probably cemented himself as a receiver. He’d be unlikely to contribute in a big way on offense in 2020, but he’s an ace special teams player, which New England may need with Matthew Slater and Nate Ebner hitting free agency.
Fourth Round, From Chicago: Leki Fotu, DL, Utah
There was a nice option at guard on the board: Logan Stenberg (Kentucky). But Leki Fotu fits for New England’s amoeba and 3-man fronts, if they use those again in 2020. With Danny Shelton likely to leave in free agency, Fotu would replace Shelton naturally. They’re both oversized defensive tackles who many peg as too big for today’s game. The Patriots defense, however, has a valuable use for them.
Fourth Round, From Chicago: Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic
Every NFL team is likely to have a different ranking for the tight ends in this draft class, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see one of the perceived “top tight ends” to drop to the third or fourth rounds. In this draft, Bryant fell to the Patriots, who would be happy to get a development tight end with his upside. He probably won’t contribute in year one.
Fifth round, DRAFT DAY TRADE: Chris Finke, WR, Notre Dame
The Patriots package their compensatory picks in the sixth round to move up and grab Finke, an undersized wideout who operates in the slot and returns punts. Get ready for the (unjustified) comparisons to Julian Edelman and Wes Welker.
Sixth Round, From Denver: Derrek Tuszka, EDGE, North Dakota State
The Patriots might want to take the tweener, who played 4-3 defensive end and try him at 3-4 linebacker. While he acclimates to that new role, he’d need to contribute on special teams to make the team.
Sixth Round, From Houston: Rodrigo Blankenship, K, Georgia
The Bulldogs standout will provide competition for Stephen Gostkowski after Blankenship was 81.8% on field goals and 100% on extra points in his senior season.
Seventh Round, From Atlanta: Shyheim Carter, DB, Alabama
He played the nickel position in Nick Saban’s defense. He could get a shot to do the same in New England.
Seventh Round, From Philadelphia: John Molchon, OL, Boise State
He’d compete for a spot in the Patriots’ interior, where they’re likely to see Joe Thuney and Ted Karras depart in free agency.
Seventh Round, From Seattle: Terence Steele, OL, Texas Tech
The Patriots can try to draft and develop at the tackle position.
