2018 NFL Draft: New England Patriots 7-round mock
By Conor Dorney
Round 2 (Pick 43): Arden Key, EDGE, LSU
LSU’s Arden Key was considered by some to be a potential top-10 pick entering the 2017 season, but continued off-the-field questions and a lack of production could see him sliding further down draft boards in the coming months.
There’s no question about Key’s athleticism and at 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he possesses outstanding length and flashes the ability to use that length for leverage in pass rushing situations. In addition to his length, Key has the strength and power in his hands to be an effective pass rusher on the inside, as well as outside.
Despite all his natural ability, Key is still extremely raw as a prospect. He often plays undisciplined and can get lost in the shuffle easily, particularly in the run game. He ultimately seems to be one of those players who can turn it on at will, but is he committed to flipping that switch on every play rather than just once in a while?
The impending free agency of James Harrison and uncertainty of last year’s third-round pick, Derek Rivers, from an ACL injury, could make an edge rusher more of a priority in this draft than previously thought. If he’s able to figure it out, Key has one of the highest ceilings of any player in this class and could wind up as an absolute steal at this spot.