NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pick Service Academy Stud Pass-Rusher
New England seeking help from New York? It's a shocking concept, but perhaps more understandable when it comes from the Hudson Valley.
The latest mock draft from The 33rd Team has the New England Patriots drafting United States Military Academy edge rusher Andre Carter with the 14th pick. If Carter were to go that high, he would become the highest service academy prospect selected since 1947.
Carter, no relation to the brief Patriot and 2001 first-round pick of the same name, wrapped up a stellar career at West Point with 41 tackles (seven for a loss) in his senior year. His junior campaign saw him finish second in the nation in sacks with 15.5, forcing four fumbles as well. The former tally set an Army single-season record.
"We have had this pick projected for some time, and Carter falls into New England’s lap once again," The 33rd Team's scouting department writes. "Carter is raw but has upside, and the Patriots get a young pass rusher to mold."
While New England's pass rushing group served as one of the team's most consistent silver linings during an ultimately futile push for the playoffs, Carter might be too powerful of a prospect to pass up, especially if the Patriots are looking for a promising defensive project to work along Matthew Judon and Josh Uche.
"The Army product is an excellent pass-rusher whose speed off the line of scrimmage will translate to the next level," a scouting report from Bleacher Report claims. "He also has an impressive inside stick move and a handful of counters to keep offensive tackles guessing."
Carter's legitimate case for an NFL future was a slight subplot in Congress' National Defense Authorization Act, which originally prevented service academy student-athletes from inking a professional contract until two years after graduation but a last-second change to the bill now allows them to defer their service requirements.
New England is no stranger to calling upon the efforts of service academy student-athletes to help its cause: current long snapper Joe Cardona was chosen in the fifth round out of the Navy in 2015 while fellow Midshipman Kyle Eckel played a strong role at fullback during the team's quest for perfection in 2007.
The 2023 NFL Draft will be held on April 27-29 in Kansas City.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
New England and beyond! Get your Patriots game tickets from SI Tickets ... here!
Follow Patriots Country on Twitter and Facebook
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Patriots? Click Here
More Patriots coverage from Sports Illustrated here.
