An Independent Patriots Blog
The New England Patriots’ Round 1 Big Board Before Combine
Frenz has five prospects who might be a good Patriots fit. As expected, guard is a big position of focus in almost all of these early mocks.
The Pats will fill all their major holes in free agency, even if it’s just temporary, so they won’t have to find a started in the draft at any spot. That flexibility will allow them to pounce on value.
Obviously, Crabtree and Fitzgerald do seem like interesting fits for the kind of offense the Patriots run, but will the Pats have the money to bring them in? I definitely doubt it on Fitzgerald, and maybe something could be done with Crabtree, but external wide receivers are close to the bottom of my need list in free agency. To me bringing in one of those two guys sends these messages – Dobson/Boyce/Tyms are done and we’re not even sure about LaFell.
Clay and Williams are two intriguing players for sure. Williams would probably come at the expense of Vince Wilfork, but if he could be that long term replacement, and combine with Siliga for an effective double-nose front, he might be worth it.
Clay is one of those swiss army knife guys that you know would thrive in the Patriots offense. One part Develin, one part Gronk, they could move him all around and he’d get a ton of favorable matchups. Would just love to see him in New England more than any of these other guys.
