Patriots: 2021 NFL Draft primer as Tom Brady loss still looms
Top Patriots targets in 2021 NFL Draft
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Trey Lance is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in this draft. He has a howitzer for an arm and is one heck of an athlete when he’s running. Looking at what Josh McDaniels did with Cam Newton in terms of production with his legs, the idea of Trey Lance in that system seems like a fantastic fit. Lance runs like Newton, he’s physical and isn’t afraid to run QB power between the tackles. What will give Lance the leg up is the arm strength. Lance will be able to make throws that Newton has never been able to make.
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons fits the mold of a Patriots player. He’s not fully a linebacker yet, but he is a phenomenal run defender and is a freak of an athlete. He is still learning in terms of pass coverage, but that will come in time. Parsons fits the mold of Kyle Van Noy, a linebacker who can rush the passer; and he did it quite well at Penn State. Micah Parsons draft stock seems to be dipping a bit due to character concerns, but those concerns could be alleviated the second he gets under Bill Belichick.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
He has some of the best hands in the class and runs routes with the best of them; after the catch, Smith is elusive as can be. DeVonta Smith is the WR1 that the Patriots haven’t had for a long time.
We all know what Smith can do on the field, but we bring in a fresh perspective, as we bring in Jordan Reid’s thoughts on the Heisman winning wide receiver:
"“Possessing sure hands and body control, he has little trouble with making catches in traffic, but his fundamentals remain the same on routine ones as well. Although he may never make defenders miss consistently in space, he has elongated strides that allow him to eat up operating room quickly. A polished route-runner, he has a well-developed understanding of how to create separation and he also contains a diverse release package when facing challenges at the line of scrimmage.”"
Next. Ranking a loaded crop of OTs after Penei Sewell. dark
Bill Belichick’s track record of drafting wide receivers is not very good, but I don’t think many people would complain if he adds the Heisman Trophy winner to the team. DeVonta Smith does so many things well.