ESPN insider Field Yates predicts the Patriots will add the best defensive lineman in the draft.
The New England Patriots made two big moves along their defensive line in the early parts of NFL free agency, signing interior lineman Milton Williams and edge Harold Landry. They might not be done yet, at least according to a new projection by ESPN’s Field Yates.
In his latest mock draft, he has the Patriots go back to the D-line at No. 4 overall:
4. New England Patriots
Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
No team should be rooting harder for two quarterbacks to go in the first three picks than the Patriots. They could then just let the board fall to them and take either Carter or Hunter — whichever of them is still available. Carter is the best pass rusher in the class and would instantly become one of the Patriots’ two best defensive cornerstones along with corner Christian Gonzalez. With his incredible first-step quickness, he’d fit nicely alongside new addition Milton Williams.
Yes, the Patriots still must address the left tackle position, and they’ve made a flurry of defensive moves. But the opportunity to add Carter is too good to pass up, no matter what happens over the rest of free agency.
The Patriots adding Carter to their edge group would be a massive get, and take pressure off the current top 2 of Landry and Anfernee Jennings.