2017 NFL Draft: New England Patriots seven-round mock
By John Buhler
The New England Patriots will have eight picks in the 2017 NFL Draft to try to get back to the Super Bowl. Here is a 2017 mock draft for the Patriots.
The defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots will have eight picks in the 2017 NFL Draft to try to get back to the title bout. New England has one pick in the first, second, fourth, and seventh rounds. The Patriots have two picks in both the third and the fifth round. They do not have a sixth round pick this year.
New England has a second third-round pick (No. 103) via the Cleveland Browns from the Jamie Collins mid-season trade. The fourth-round pick that New England inherited from the Seattle Seahawks in a 2016 draft day trade has been forfeited to the NFL because of the Deflategate Scandal.
The Patriots first of two fifth-round picks (No. 163) comes their way via the Denver Broncos because of the A.J. Derby trade. New England also inherits a seventh-round pick (No. 183) in the same Derby deal that also brought Kyle Van Noy to New England from the Detroit Lions.
First Round
Ryan Ramczyk
Offensive Tackle, Wisconsin Badgers
New England could use their first first-round pick the Patriots have had in two years in a multitude of ways. The Patriots could go wide receiver, running back, or even tight end with this selection. Since they are in win-now mode, it would make sense for them to get more help up front to help protect Tom Brady for the foreseeable future.
Yes, this is not a deep draft for offensive linemen, but New England has the right on-field teacher in offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia to help bring along some of these youngsters. One player that could come in and make a difference right away would be Wisconsin Badgers offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk.
Ramczyk and Alabama Crimson Tide left tackle Cam Robinson have been tabbed as the two best tackle prospects in this year’s draft. Robinson has the higher upside, so he’ll be off the board first. For whatever reason, Ramczyk’s stock is falling as this year seems to have better interior offensive linemen than guys on the outside.
Given that Ramczyk played in a run-first, pro-style offense, he might be able to quickly pick up New England’s highly nuanced blocking scheme. If he is still on the board at No. 32, there is no way that the Patriots let him fall into the second round.