Last-minute mock draft features Patriots getting a massive steal at 14

One last-minute mock draft features a huge steal for the New England Patriots at their pick at 14th overall in the NFL Draft.

Things have a chance to get weird during the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night, as they always do. Based on the outcome of one last-minute NFL mock draft from ESPN insider Todd McShay, the Patriots could be massive beneficiaries of one player that looks like a possible slide.

McShay’s final draft came with a lot of changes, and some serious diversions from what the consensus suggests. Right now, at No. 14 overall, the Patriots seem destined to take an offensive lineman. The problem is that the best OLs could come off the board before then because it’s a major position of need this season.

Even if the draft goes as expected, they may not get their guy, because teams like the Steelers are thinking of moving up for the position.

If you ask McShay, though, maybe the Pats can stay put?

Patriots get a huge win in last-minute mock draft

Todd McShay has the Patriots getting Peter Skoronski in his latest mock draft (subscription required). Skoronski is out of Northwestern and is largely considered the best or second-best offensive lineman in this draft (to Paris Johnson Jr. out of Ohio State).

If either of those Big 10 players falls to the Patriots at 14, they should be elated (McShay mocked PJJ going at 11).

With this pick, the Patriots get elite protection for Mac Jones to continue establishing his imprint on the Patriots offense. His rookie year was stellar, making the Pro Bowl, but his second year was a step back. There was general ineptitude with how the Patriots handled the offensive coordinator role, so expect him to take a step forward with Bill O’Brien back in the fold as the OC.

Expect him to have an even better chance at improvement if this mock comes true.