2017 NFL Mock Draft: South Beach has a new QB

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) attempts to throw the ball against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter of a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

30. New England Patriots

player. 47. The New England Patriots always find solutions to their roster problems. That’s just the way their system has worked for years. Every time it looks like a major problem is about to crop up, they make a couple adjustments and it was like the threat was never there. That’s why they’re in the AFC championship every and continue to compete for Super Bowls with a quarterback approaching his 40th birthday. It is for this reason that nobody is going to panic about the tight end situation. Rob Gronkowski is dealing with health issues and Martellus Bennett will be a free agent in 2017. <p>Sure enough the Patriots scoop up O.J. Howard in the draft and the problem is solved. Bill Belichick has a close connection to Alabama head coach Nick Saban. So he knows the types of players that come from that program, and how to coach them. The sheer physical potential of Howard could give the Patriots the type of combination they had with Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez back in 2011. Howard is a basketball type of athlete. He’s got great height but can run the field as if on a fast break. His hands are reliable for making the tough catches too. Ignore the limited stats. In the right offense, he’s a weapon.</p>. TE. Alabama. O.J. Howard . 30