Albert Breer described what the ‘dream scenario’ is for the Patriots’ draft strategy
Breer identified "two things to keep an eye on" for Patriots fans.
The Bruins defeated the Canadiens on Sunday, 5-3. Patrice Bergeron and Erik Haula each scored twice.
Also on Sunday, the Red Sox lost to the Rays, 5-2. Boston not travels to Toronto to play the Blue Jays tonight at 7:07 p.m.
And the Celtics face the Nets tonight (7 p.m.) in Game 4 of the two teams’ Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. With a 3-0 lead, a Boston win would eliminate Brooklyn.
The Patriots at the draft: The NFL Draft is now only days away, with the first round of the annual event set to get underway on Thursday at 8 p.m.
The Patriots hold the 21st overall pick, with a myriad of potential needs.
According to NFL reporter Albert Breer, New England has a pair of primary concerns.
“Two things to keep an eye on here are the future of the offensive line and speed on defense,” wrote Breer in his weekly “Monday Morning Quarterback” column. “In the case of the former, New England’s got a hole at guard, and left tackle Isaiah Wynn, who’s been pretty average at the position, is in a contract year.”
In this scenario, Breer listed Boston College guard Zion Johnson and Northern Iowa offensive tackle Trevor Penning as possible picks.
Should a linebacker like Utah’s Devin Lloyd fall to the Patriots, Breer likes the idea of it, as it “adds a three-down presence à la Jamie Collins.”
“But the dream scenario,” Breer added, “would be [Trent] McDuffie, an A-plus kid (one exec called his predraft interview ‘A-plus, plus, plus’) whose profile looks like Devin McCourty’s did coming out of Rutgers 10 years ago.”
McDuffie is seen as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2022 draft with a lot of potential.
“He can play outside or from the slot and carries a very high floor with the potential to become one of the league’s top corners at some point during his first contract,” wrote NFL analyst Lance Zierlein.
Trivia: Since Bill Belichick has been coach of the Patriots, New England has selected two defensive backs in the first round of the NFL Draft. One was Devin McCourty. Can you name the other?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: The University of Miami.
More from Boston.com:
- Celtics’ 3-0 series lead is more about Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown than Kevin Durant
- Mock draft roundup: Entering draft week, here’s who experts predict the Patriots will select
- Draft expert pinpoints which players could be ‘home run’ picks for the Patriots in 2022 NFL Draft
- Ben Simmons ruled out for Game 4 of Celtics-Nets series
- How Jayson Tatum’s Game 3 performance stacks up all-time as Celtics star puts on dominant two-way show
- Photos: Bill Belichick spotted at Nantucket Daffodil Festival
- Paul Pierce makes bold proclamation on Jayson Tatum after Celtics’ Game 3 win over Nets
- Red Sox fall to Rays 5-2
- The way Saturday’s Red Sox-Rays game unfolded wasn’t just rare. It was unprecedented.
A potential trend ahead of Thursday:
Kyle Schwarber disagreed: The former Red Sox outfielder was quickly tossed from Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Brewers after he chose to express his frustration with a called third strike in the ninth inning.
On this day: In 1993, the Patriots selected Drew Bledsoe out of Washington State with the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Daily highlight: Duke outfielder Kyla Morris went all-out to make the catch in 6-0 win over Syracuse on Sunday.
Trivia answer: Brandon Meriweather