2017 NFL Draft: New England Patriots seven-round mock
By John Buhler
Fifth Round
Cole Hikutini
Tight End, Louisville Cardinals
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels loves to run two tight end sets in his New England offense. While the Patriots still have an elite, albeit often-injured, All-Pro at tight end in Rob Gronkowski, they could be losing their other tight end Martellus Bennett in free agency.
If that is the case, look for the Patriots to proactively target a tight end in the NFL Draft. They might take a flier on Cole Hikutini of the Louisville Cardinals at No. 163 in the fifth round. Bobby Petrino’s offense in Louisville could be a good starting point for Hikutini’s integration into McDaniels’ New England offense.
Jeremy Cutrer
Cornerback, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Belichick usually does a great job at making something out of nothing with his defensive backfield. He specializes in finding talent in the back-end of NFL Drafts and gradually working them into the rotation.
A guy that New England could target late in the fifth round at No. 183 would be Jeremy Cutrer of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. It may not end up being Cutrer per say, but it would make sense for the Patriots to go cornerback at some point in day three of the draft.
Seventh Round
Dylan Cole
Linebacker, Missouri State Bears
Linebacker is a major area of focus for the Patriots this offseason. They traded Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals and Jamie Collins to the Cleveland Browns last season. There is a good chance that Dont’a Hightower could sign elsewhere, as he was not slapped with the franchise tag this spring.
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Taking a late flier on Missouri State Bears linebacker Dylan Cole at No. 239 in the seventh round may not be a bad way to use that selection. Brady was a sixth round pick. Julian Edelman was a seventh round pick. You never know with the Patriots.