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2018 NFL Draft: New England Patriots 7-round mock

By Conor Dorney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 20: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and friend Vinnie Colelli look on during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 20: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and friend Vinnie Colelli look on during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 27: Mike White #14 of the South team throws the ball during the Reese’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 27: Mike White #14 of the South team throws the ball during the Reese’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 27, 2018 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Round 2 (Pick 63): Mike White, QB, Western Kentucky

Perhaps no personnel decision will be as closely scrutinized as that of the Patriots’ backup quarterback spot entering the 2018 Draft. After dealing Jacoby Brissett and Jimmy Garoppolo, with the latter flourishing in a starting role in San Francisco, the heir apparent to Tom Brady will be a priority come draft day.

Even if the Pats intend to keep veteran Brian Hoyer in the backup role for the 2018 season, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to have a long-term option and the Patriots have shown a willingness in the past to take a signal-caller whom they feel can develop in their system. If the early run on quarterbacks happens as many are speculating, New England could be forced to take their pick from a pool of less flashy options, such as Western Kentucky quarterback Mike White.

Aside from Wyoming’s Josh Allen, White possesses the best pure arm strength of any quarterback in the 2018 class. In addition to the arm strength, White also throws an excellent deep ball and can drop it in the bucket with ease, especially when given time to throw from the pocket. White was once an enticing baseball prospect in high school, reportedly hitting 90 mph on the mound as a pitcher. After giving football a try, he signed with South Florida out of high school, where he played his freshman and sophomore seasons before transferring to Western Kentucky.

Though his numbers took a significant dip from his stellar junior season, it’s worth noting the amount of talent that White’s Hilltoppers lost on offense following the 2016 season, including their top offensive lineman, top wide receiver, and leading rusher. These facts are key to providing context for prospects who experience unexpected drops in production from one season to another.

White was very impressive at the Senior Bowl and stands to improve his draft stock even more at the Combine. Depending on how many quarterbacks land in the first round, White could see his name called anywhere from late in the second round to early in the fourth round. For now, he fits in New England as a nice developmental prospect behind Tom Brady.

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