2017 NFL Mock Draft: Brad Kaaya, Deshaun Watson headline class

Conor McDermott . 27. player. 47. <p>Years may pass but priorities don’t change with the New England Patriots. Tom Brady is their quarterback and their ticket to continued dominance in the AFC. The key to making him effective is through good blocking up front, something the team struggled a lot with in 2015. It wouldn’t surprise if they improved this year with the arrivals of Jonathan Cooper and Joe Thuney, but they’re not out of the woods yet.</p> <p>Sebastian Vollmer is approaching his mid-30s at tackle. Nate Solder missed most of last season with injury. Reloading the depth chart is something the Patriots are routinely great at.</p> <p>Conor McDermott seem like just the kind of upside talent they’d stash away for a year or two and then make a long-term starter. He’s got rare size at 6-foot-9 and 310 pounds but still is able to move well. UCLA allowed just 14 sacks last season with him starting.</p> <p>His game isn’t perfect. There are sloppy technique issues to work through but his sheer physical dimension and presence in a pro-style system make him the kind of player New England would like. Somebody who does his job, whether it’s protect the quarterback or open lanes for the runners.</p>. OT. UCLA