NFL Mock Draft: With just days until the first round takes place on Thursday, draft experts are preparing their final mock drafts of the season. Here’s who they’re predicting the Patriots – who hold the No. 21 overall pick and have eight total selections – will draft.
NFL Mock Draft: Simulator| Database| 2023| 2022 Steelers
Simulator:
Aidan Hutchinson is the safest pick in this draft. But don’t let that mask the fact that he’s also an incredible athlete. Daniel Jeremiah talks about the three-cone drill being a great measure for pass rushers.
Well, you want to guess whose three-cone time was elite — and even lower than combine freak Travon Walker, who’s also in consideration for the top pick? Yeah, Aidan Hutchinson.
Database:
Johnson exploded for 12 sacks in his one season at Florida State and racked up twitchy testing numbers at the NFL Scouting Combine, so it’s not inconceivable the Texans have a high enough grade on the former Georgia Bulldog to make him their choice at No. 3.
Many mocks have Kayvon Thibodeaux in this spot, but DJ has Johnson ahead of Thibodeaux in his Top 150 prospects list, leading me to believe that could very well be the order in which the two talented edge rushers come off the board.
2023:
It sounds like teams are becoming more comfortable with the fact that injuries were a big piece of the drop-off in Stingley’s performance over the last two years following his phenomenal freshman campaign.
Stingley would’ve been the first corner off the board in 2020, and that talent is too tantalizing for Seattle to pass on.
Neal is usually long gone by this time in most mock drafts, but this scenario sees a high-level blocker with position flexibility available for the Jets with their second top-10 pick.
2022 Steelers:
Arguably the best technician at the position in this class, McDuffie provides a fundamentally sound and safe option at cornerback after the team’s last two first-round CBs (Jeff Gladney, 2020; Mike Hughes, 2018) have not worked out. McDuffie also gets the benefit of learning alongside veteran corner Patrick Peterson, who is back for another season in Minnesota.
Neal can provide insurance if Mekhi Becton doesn’t return to his rookie season form, and his versatility allows him to find a spot among the starting five right away in front of Zach Wilson.
