New England Patriots full 2019 NFL mock draft

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 17: Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Noah Fant (87) runs up the field after making a catch during the Big Ten Conference college football game between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 17, 2018, at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 26: Quarterback Daniel Jones #17 of Duke of the North Team passes during the 2019 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 26, 2019 in Mobile, Alabama. The North defeated the South 34 to 24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

“Is this the year the Patriots select Tom Brady’s successor” is a question already loaded onto the teleprompters of draft pundits around the country, so why not contribute to the madness by mocking Duke’s Daniel Jones to New England in the second round?

The Pats have seen Duke quite a bit on the scouting trail this year and with Jones’ work with known quarterback guru and Blue Devils head coach David Cutcliffe, this would be a scenario that seems to make sense.

Jones has all the size and arm strength to succeed at the NFL level, even if he showed some inconsistency over the course of his collegiate career. More than anything, the Patriots trust in their system and program, and if they feel Jones is the type of player who can succeed in it, they won’t hesitate to pull the trigger.

An NFL team can’t survive forever on having Brian Hoyer as its backup quarterback, so now may finally be the right time for New England to look to the future.

The Patriots addressed the offensive line early in the 2018 NFL Draft following the free agent departure of tackle Nate Solder and could be forced into a similar circumstance if LT Trent Brown leaves Foxborough as well.

The general consensus seems to be that Brown’s price tag will become too steep and if so, the Patriots could bolster the offensive line with the addition of Mississippi State’s Elgton Jenkins. While an offensive tackle is certainly an option here (Washington’s Kaleb McGary could be a fit), Jenkins is an excellent player with length and power at the guard position.

Jenkins (6-foot-4, 310 pounds) started at center for the past two seasons at Mississippi State, but has the ability to move to guard at the NFL level. He performed admirably when tasked with some of the best defensive line prospects in the SEC and should hold his own and be a solid starter once he becomes a pro.

Jenkins is regarded by many as an extremely cerebral player, which should accelerate his opportunity for playing time. As Joe Thuney approaches free agency following next season, the Pats could view Jenkins as his eventual replacement.

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