New England Patriots full 2021 NFL mock draft

4th Round

Quincy Roche is someone who was asked to step up for a Miami defense who lost first-round prospect Gregory Rousseau to an opt out before the season. He played quite well after transferring from Temple. He put up 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in that one Miami season. He showed his skill set translates well to a Power 5 conference.

Roche’s best trait is he has an explosive first step. He gets off the line with quickness which helps him get into the backfield to blow up a play. The Patriots have been very good at finding these types of players in the middle rounds of the draft. Roche might be a little overlooked because of how Miami’s season went. The Patriots would be lucky if he fell here, and they would absolutely jump at the chance to pick him.

The Patriots are expected to get two compensatory picks in the 4th round. This should really help them bring in more young talent to the offense and defense that sorely needs more playmakers. Kary Vincent Jr. is a player that won’t have a lot of expectations coming in but can build into a good player. The Patriots cornerback position is up in the air based on what they end up doing with Stephon Gilmore. They still have J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, and Jason McCourtey could return. Joejuan Williams is a former second-round pick. They could also use some of their cap space to replace Gilmore.

Vincent was a great nickel corner for the champion LSU Tigers in 2019, but he also opted out of the season in 2020. The Tigers were a mess, so he likely doesn’t regret the decision, but it really didn’t help his value. He’s a little undersized (5’10, 189 lbs.), but since he’ll only be expected to play against the slot, it shouldn’t hold him back. His inability to play on the outside shouldn’t hurt his ability to start right away in the Patriots defense. They have players to stay outside, but someone to cover the slot would be very good to get this year.

Most Patriots fans would hope the Patriots wouldn’t wait 140 picks to address with wide receiver position, but the Patriots never fill the obvious need early in the draft. They fall in love with players and take them whenever they feel it’s necessary. So, that leaves them using their last compesnatory pick to finally address the wide receiver position.

The Patriots have used high picks on wide receivers in the past, including N’Keal Harry over D.K. Metcalf in 2019. It always works out terribly. The last productive wide receiver the Patriots drafted was Julian Edelman back in 2009.

Newsome is someone that’s been tied to the Patriots before. He has a great slot presence, was a nice fallback option for North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell, and he is really good at learning multiple routes. This feels like a Patriots wide receiver that will actually work. It’s too early to completely quit on Harry, but at the same time, it would be easy for Newsome to come in and be the best option for the Patriots. They might get rid of Edelman this season, so the slot could open up. Newsome would fit right in.