Patriots Beat Mock Draft 6.0: Double Darnell, A Quarterback Project, A Cold Weather Kicker, and More Just Two Weeks Out From the NFL Draft

Another Thursday, another Patriots Beat Mock Draft here on the CLNS Media Network.

98.5 The Sports Hub’s Alex Barth and I are running the PFF Mock Draft Simulator every Thursday night from here on out until the real NFL Draft on April 27th.

This week? We came away with a potential franchise changer on the offensive line, some Rhamondre Stevenson insurance, another quarterback, and the best Patriots fit in the entire class.

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Check out my full Google Doc of ongoing NFL draft prep HERE as I analyze and scout the 2023 class, and find the right fits for the Patriots. 

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Here are the results from Mock 6.0:

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Round 1, Pick 18: Darnell Wright – OT, Tennessee

TRADE DETAILS: R1 (14), R6 (187) traded to Lions for R1 (18), R2 (55)

After trading back four spots with the Lions, the Patriots use the 18th overall pick to grab the best right tackle in the class.

Darnell Wright, 6’5″ 333-pound right tackle from Tennessee, was first-team All-SEC in 2022 and called “the best tackle I played against” by Alabama’s Will Anderson. After an offseason of depth-acquiring from New England, they land their franchise right tackle for 10+ years in the first round.

Round 2, Pick 34: Darnell Washington – TE, Georgia

TRADE DETAILS: R2 (46), R4 (107), R4 (135) traded to Cardinals for 2 (34)

Speaking of Darnell’s, Darnell Washington is the best Patriots fit in this entire class. They trade up with Arizona to grab him at pick 34.

The Georgia tight end was already known as the best run blocker in the class, but his speed was in question at 6’7″, 265 pounds.

Well, after the Combine of a lifetime where he ran a 4.64s 40 and showed off a 31″ vertical jump, Washington all but solidified himself as TE1 (atleast in my book). He would flourish in Bill O’Brien’s system with his mix of blocking and pass-catching ability.

Round 2, Pick 55: Julius Brents – CB, Kansas State

If New England waits this long at cornerback, Kansas State’s Julius Brents would be a slam dunk at pick 55.

Brents is 6’3″, 198 pounds, an athletic monster, and would immediately be able to contribute to the Patriots amoeba secondary they seem to be creating this offseason.

At the NFL Combine in February, Brents jumped out of the building, outperforming just about every other cornerback with an 11’6″ broad jump, a 41.5″ vertical jump, a 6.63s 3-cone drill, and 4.05s 20-yard shuttle.

DBs coach Mike Pellegrino and co. would benefit tremendously from adding a 6’3″ guy to their room, as no other impact corner on the roster is over 6’0″.

Round 3, Pick 76: Derick Hall – EDGE, Auburn

It feels like the Patriots never leave the top 100 without an EDGE rusher to bring into the fold. That player this year becomes Derick Hall.

The former Auburn Tiger is considered a team-first, high-quality locker room presence (which Bill Belichick would fawn over), and also added 60 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 INT to his impressive SEC resume in 2022.

Hall could slide in as a specialty package player and special teamer in 2023 until Josh Uche, who’s in a contract year, inevitably walks away for the bag.

Round 4, Pick 126: Kenny McIntosh – RB, Georgia

TRADE DETAILS: R4 (117) traded to Browns for R4 (126), R6 (160)

The Patriots need some Rhamondre Stevenson insurance after allowing Damien Harris to walk to Buffalo in free agency. Sure, they signed James Robinson to a short, cheap deal – but they still need more.

Georgia’s Kenny McIntosh is a tough, downhill runner who is also underrated as a pass catcher. The 6’0″, 210-pound back rushed for 829 yards and 10 TDs on 150 carries in 2022 and added 43 catches for 504 yards and two TDs through the air.

New England wouldn’t need to rely on him a ton in ’23, but could be a spell guy, a goalline presence, and help take the ground-and-pound off of their do-it-all back in Stevenson.

Round 6, Pick 184: Trey Dean – S, Florida

Trey Dean III from Florida showed out at the Shrine Bowl with the Patriots in February, but has drastically fallen down draft boards after a disappointing NFL Combine.

I don’t think this matters to New England.

Dean won the defensive player of the week award and the defensive MVP with the Patriots in Vegas. They liked what they saw and ignore the hiccup in Indy.

Round 6, Pick 190: Jaren Hall – QB, BYU

After releasing Brian Hoyer earlier this offseason and signing Trace McSorely on Thursday, New England adds another signal caller to the room in Jalen Hall in round five.

After backing up Zach Wilson in ’18 and ’19, Hall led the Cougars offense the last two seasons and excelled as a passer with over 50 TD and just 11 INT.

Though a raw talent, Hall has the arm strength and playmaking ability to be an NFL starter one day. The Patriots grab the project and let him learn behind Mac Jones and Bill O’Brien.

Round 6, Pick 192: Jake Moody – K, Michigan

Jake Moody, who also worked with the Patriots at the Shrine Bowl, becomes the teams kicker for the next 10 years at pick 192.

Moody is accustomed to kicking in sub-par weather from his time at Michigan and is incredibly reliable from 40 yards and in, having never missed an extra point in college. Belichick keeps the Foxboro kicking success of Vinatieri – Gostkowski – Folk going with Moody.

Round 6, Pick 210: Demario Douglas – WR, Liberty

Finally a wide receiver.

Liberty WR Demario Douglas is just 5’8” 179 pounds but his athleticism is off the charts, having ran a 4.44s 40 while putting up a 39.5” vertical and an 11’2” broad jump.

Douglas, who caught 79 passes for 933 yards and 6 TDs in 2022, makes it three Shrine Bowl guys in a row for the Patriots.

Round 7, Pick 245: – T.J. Bass, T – Oregon

T.J. Bass, who already knows new offensive line coach Adrian Klemm’s scheme like the back of his hand, becomes the Patriots final pick of 2023.

The 6’4″, 317 pound OL has positional versatility, having played all along the offensive line for the Ducks. Someone who knows the scheme, and can plug and play just about anywhere, is a home run seventh round selection.

DRAFT SUMMARY:

We’ll be back early next week on Patriots Beat with the latest news from New England and a Q+A with you all. Subscribe to the podcast HERE, and check out our YouTube channel, Patriots Press Pass.

Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @PatriotsCLNS for the latest up-to-date Patriots news!

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