32. New England Patriots- Jerome Baker, LB, Ohio State
It’s impossible to predict what Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots are going to do on draft day. We have seen them trade out of the 1st round, trade up and trade the pick for an established veteran. The possibilities are endless when it comes to Belichick.
However, we do have an idea of what type of player the Patriots tend to target. They look for versatile athletes capable of fitting their system and specific roles. This is especially true on the defensive side of the ball.
Ohio State’s Jerome Baker is the ultimate moveable chess piece prospect. He brings a ton of abilities to the table which makes him a fit at multiple positions. His athleticism and speed make him a very effective coverage linebacker.
It also gives him the ability to generate pressure off the edge. While he’s undersized for the position, Baker plays the run with integrity and can set the edge. He would give the Patriots an upgrade over current linebackers Shea McClellin and Elandon Roberts.
Another area the Patriots could address is depth at defensive tackle. Malcolm Brown is a solid player, but Alan Branch is at the backend of his career.