{"id":51144,"date":"2020-04-05T21:34:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-06T02:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51144"},"modified":"2021-08-29T06:36:01","modified_gmt":"2021-08-29T06:36:01","slug":"lazars-patriots-mock-draft-3-0-giving-jarrett-stidham-the-best-chance-to-succeed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clnsmedia.com\/?p=51144","title":{"rendered":"Lazar’s Patriots Mock Draft 3.0: Giving Jarrett Stidham the Best Chance to Succeed"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Patriots’ approach to the draft is becoming widespread across the league for several reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many teams are run by former Belichick prot\u00e9g\u00e9s, while others that use the role-based system saw the success and wanted that for themselves.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Patriots and Belichick put draft prospects into defined roles on their team that they can fill within three years. For example, a scout might find a player that would make a useful third-down running back or number two outside corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

The system leads to two things: one, a small draft board since it’s hyper-specific, and two, scoffing at those that draft based on need.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, when you look at this draft, needs on offense become difficult to ignore with a second-year quarterback taking the reins after 20 seasons with Tom Brady.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Jarrett Stidham and the 2020 Patriots, they need more weapons to give their young quarterback a chance to succeed and the team a chance to compete for the playoffs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless you believe a best-case scenario where N\u2019Keal Harry breaks out, Mohamed Sanu\u2019s ankle injury was the only reason he struggled last year, and Jakobi Meyers can fill out the depth chart with Julian Edelman at the top, then you know they don\u2019t have enough.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And the tight end depth chart currently has two players on it, Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo, with a combined 517 career receiving yards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a perfect world, the scenario we laid out at wide receiver comes to fruition. But Stidham, like Brady in 2019, will most likely struggle with no significant upgrades to the offensive weaponry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With that in mind, our third stab at a Patriots mock draft focuses on putting Jarrett Stidham in a position to succeed this season:<\/span><\/p>\n

TRADE:<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>PATRIOTS TRADE NO. 23, NO. 125, NO. 172 TO BENGALS FOR NO. 33 & NO. 65<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Patriots should get into the second round where the sweet spot for wide receivers, tight ends, and front seven defenders is in this draft. The Bengals get another impact player they desperately need in their rebuild, while the Pats get two picks in the top 65. By consolidating and trading out of the first round, the Pats will also save some cap space, something they need to do since it might be tight for them to afford another large draft class.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Round, 33rd Overall: WR Denzel Mims, Baylor\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Denzel Mims might be the best vertical threat in this years class. Opens up a path to the sideline in his release, throws inside hand to keep jam away, good initial burst and works to stack the CB, uses arm bar to keep the CB away from the catch point. #Patriots<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/rE7XgCHU8A<\/a><\/p>\n

— Evan Lazar (@ezlazar) January 30, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n