With the 2021 NFL Draft finishing up this past Saturday, many teams moved up and down to get the players they wanted and help them compete for the Super Bowl. One of those teams in need of some help was our very own New England Patriots. Missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and coming off the second-worst record in the Belicheck era, the Pats needed some help. With the seven picks that the Pats used in this draft, they should be in a better position than they were last season.

Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama

With the 15 pick, the Patriots addressed their biggest need by taking a quarterback. Jones certainly isn’t the flashiest pick, and considered by most to be the worst QB out of the top five available. It might not be all bad though; we’ve seen Belichick and McDaniels coach up poor QB prospects before. Jones fits the system and given the friendship between Jones’ college coach, Nick Saban, and Belichick,  he might know something that we don’t. The fact that the Pats didn’t move up as Justin FIelds was falling shows that Jones was their guy all along. He’ll compete for the starting job against Cam Newton this offseason and only time will tell how good of a pick this was.

Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama

With the 38 pick, the Pats traded up to snag the falling defensive lineman who many labeled as a first-round talent. This addresses another need and adds to the defense that they built in free agency. Barmore makes the Pats defensive line that much more dangerous and will help the Pats stay in games this season through their defense. Barmore posted a 92.2 pass rusrating on Pro Football Focus which was far and away the best in this draft class, along with a 19.7% win rate that proved he was the best defensive linemen in this class. All of these factors combine to make Barmore an absolute steal for New England.

Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma

After taking Barmore, the Pats add even more defensive depth by taking Ronnie Perkins with the 96 pick. Perkins will add to the pass rushing core that the Pats built this offseason, and hopefully help New England come up with more sacks than the 37 that they had last year. 

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma

WIth the 120 pick the Pats add more depth to the backfield that could need some help next season. With James White and Sony Michel set to hit the open market next year, Stevenson could fill in nicely. Many have called Stevenson “LeGarrette Blount 2.0” and Pats fans certainly remember what Blount brought to the table as a runner in the New England backfield. 

With the Pats last few picks they selected Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan. McGrone adds depth to a linebacker core that is going to need help in the next few seasons with the inevitable departure of Dont’a Hightower. In the sixth round the Pats added Joshua Bledsoe, S, Missouri and William Sherman, OT, Colorado. Bledsoe adds to depth in the hybrid safety department and could help down the road. With both starting tackles heading to unrestricted free agency next year, Sherman adds depth along the offensive line that has been much-needed for New England in the past. WIth their final pick the Pats took Tre Nixon, WR, Central Florida. Nixon adds receiver depth for New England and likely will compete for the wide receiver three spot behind Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor.

Overall I’d give the Pats and A- draft grade. They addressed some major needs on both sides of the ball and helped put themselves in prime position to be contenders in a season or two. Though I would’ve liked to see them address the wide receiver position more than they did, I can’t complain with the picks made. In Bill we trust.