With the 2022 NFL Draft right around the corner, the Patriots could focus on the secondary with their first-round pick.
The hard work and research has been going on for a while now for Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft. After finishing the 2021 campaign with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card Round, New England quickly shifted its focus to 2022.
The Patriots are set to have five picks in the April draft, with the No. 21 spot in the first round. Who will the team end up going with? In this piece, we have our full mock draft for the Pats, with a Pac-12 standout joining the team on Day 1.
New England Patriots Mock Draft – First Round
21
Trent McDuffie
CB Washington
The expectation is that the Patriots will try and improve the secondary with their top selection. They most definitely need some help at cornerback and that’s where a guy like Trent McDuffie out of Washington could help out.
McDuffie has seen his stock soar in recent months, as the three-year starter for the Huskies is rising up boards left and right. McDuffie is known for his wheels, as he’s got 4.4 speed. On top of that, he owns a 41.5-inch vertical leap. Those numbers alone have stood out to scouts.
The concern for McDuffie at times is that he stands at 5-foot-11, but his vertical really helped him out in some tight battles for Washington in the red zone. This past season, he finished with 35 total tackles and six pass deflections.
Each year with Washington, McDuffie got better and better and he also stepped up as a leader for the younger players as well. If he’s available at No. 21, the Patriots would be wise to grab him before someone else does.