New England Patriots full 2022 NFL mock draft

The Patriots could sorely use cornerbacks. Whether they work as depth or take over a starting position, the second round makes a lot of sense as the place to take a corner. Martin Emerson is an interesting name because he’s someone who’s riding up draft boards. He’s one of the taller cornerbacks in the class at 6’2, and he is able to use his length at the line of scrimmage. The Patriots will love his toughness even if it’s not matched by his strength.

Emerson has graded out as one of the best coverage corners in the nation. He has some issues with burst and strength, but some of those fears have been quelled during the combine process. He dropped more than a tenth of a second off his 40-yard dash time. That puts him around 4.4, closer to the fastest corners in the class.

The Patriots could get a player who ends up being a first-round talent who just didn’t hit his ceiling in college. Emerson is the type of player that Belichick falls in love with. He’s rising for a reason, and the Patriots can turn him into something that he hasn’t been before; a star.

This is great for the Patriots if Emerson falls to them. There’s a good chance he might since the draft can go in a bunch of different directions. This is a best-case scenario for the Pats after taking a major risk in the first round.