After missing the playoffs in 2020, the New England Patriots enjoyed a much-improved campaign by finishing the 2021 NFL season with a 10-7 record. The playoff run of Bill Belichick's squad may have been short-lived, but it was definitely a good start for a team that is entering a new era with a young quarterback in Mac Jones at the helm.
New England is currently armed with a total of seven draft picks in the 2022 NFL Draft, with the highest coming at No. 21 overall. Picking toward the tail end of the first round certainly puts more pressure on the Patriots to make the right call, given that most of the best talents have already gone off the board. Of course, great players are found throughout the entire draft, something New England knows better than just about anybody.
Despite having major holes on both sides of the ball, the team didn't show as much aggressiveness in pursuing players in free agency as they did last year. That decision now makes this draft a highly valuable one that can either make or break their playoff hopes for next season.
With that said, let's take a look at the three best players the Patriots can land with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Patriots 2022 NFL Draft targets
3. Kaiir Elam
The cornerback position became a huge hole that needs to be filled after former CB1 J.C. Jackson opted to sign a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. A potential player they can target with the No. 21 pick is cornerback Kaiir Elam from Florida. He concluded his junior year with the Gators with 29 combined tackles, five passes defended, and an interception in 10 games played.
Elam displayed his ability to maximize his quickness and elusiveness, which allows him to stay in front of opposing receivers. He also showed significant improvement in terms of his tackling decisions as compared to his previous years in college.
Despite these, Elam still needs to have better consistency in locating his man throughout the entirety of the play on the field. This will lessen him getting beat, especially in deep-ball situations.
Still, Elam is a player who will only get better as he receives more opportunities to be on the field and improve various aspects of his game. With Jackson's relocation, he would definitely get that chance with the Patriots if they opt to select him with the 21st pick in the draft.
2. Trevor Penning
The team's offensive line was depleted after losing two veteran guards in Shaq Mason and Ted Karras. They can still address the vacated spots by moving Isaiah Wynn from tackle to guard and starting Michael Onwenu at right guard. The Patriots successfully retained the services of OT Trent Brown, which now means they have to address the other tackle position in order to complete their offensive line.
Top-rated prospects like Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu, and Charles Cross are likely to be nabbed inside the top 10 of the draft. Nonetheless, the Patriots can still land a high-performing tackle in Trevor Penning from Northern Iowa with the 21st overall pick. He was a regular starter at both the tackle and guard positions throughout his three-year stint with the Panthers.
The 22-year-old has the size of an NFL tackle at 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, but he still has light feet, allowing him to keep in step with more explosive defenders. His hand techniques also serve as a major asset as well as his high motor to go after opposing linemen in the trenches.
Penning would definitely be a steal at No. 21, given that his skills and athleticism should allow him to be an immediate starter at the next level. The Patriots have a more important need to address at WR, but they would have a promising talent if they choose to go with Penning in the late first round.
1. Chris Olave
Perhaps the biggest hole on the Patriots right now is their wide receiver position. They failed to get significant production from their crop of pass catchers aside from Kendrick Bourne and Jakobi Meyers. After not getting a big-name WR in free agency, the Patriots will surely have to nail the young receiver they intend to get in the upcoming draft.
A potential target is Chris Olave, who just finished a four-year tenure with Ohio State. Olave was overshadowed by teammate Garrett Wilson, but he was undoubtedly a key figure in the Buckeyes' offensive attack. Olave tallied career-best numbers in his senior year with 936 receiving yards on 65 catches and 13 touchdowns in 11 appearances.
The best aspects of Olave's game are his speed and ability to create separation from his defenders. He has also mastered changing direction on the run and adjusting his body mid-air to catch passes. However, Olave will still need to get his body stronger and improve the tightness of his hands to be able to haul in more balls from the air.
Certainly enough, the 21-year-old still has more work to do because of his physical limitations. However, Olave's innate talent and vast playing experience at the collegiate level would definitely help him become an impact player for the Patriots right from the get-go.
Follow Us
Subscribe