**Note: The Patriots do not have a first round draft pick on account of the DeflateGate sanctions from the NFL. If they did, this is whom they would have selected.**
The New England Patriots don’t have a first-round draft pick. Okay, understood. But what if they did. What if Sheriff Goodell was willing to give Bob, Tom and Bill a first round pick – who would they choose?
Derrick Henry plays grown man ball in a league full of youngsters. Ever since breaking out against Oklahoma in the 2014 Sugar Bowl he’s looked like a surefire NFL pick.
After taking a backseat to the likes of T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper in the team’s offensive scheme, 2015 was Henry’s breakout. He’s a powerful back that has deceptive speed. If there’s anything hindering Henry it’s the tempered success of recent Alabama running backs in the NFL (looking at you, Trent Richardson).
Next: No. 32 Carolina Panthers