Every team in the NFL simulates a series of mock drafts in the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft. They play out all of the different scenarios that could take place.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged last week that the team has been running through their simulations recently. Here are five simulations regarding the fourth overall pick and what the Patriots may do and the logic behind it.
Simulation One:
#1 Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Fla)
#2 Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
#3 New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
#4 New England Patriots: Trade Down
Logic: The Patriots could stand pat and take a player they reportedly like in offensive tackle Will Campbell or they can field offers and potentially trade down. If the right offer comes along, the Patriots should trade down. Why? Campbell could fall and if they move down three to five spots, they could add draft capital and still land him. If they do not land Campbell, they could potentially end up with one of the other tackles (Armand Membou, Kelvin Banks) or they could go elsewhere and take a tackle early in Day Two.
Simulation Two
#1 Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Fla)
#2 Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
#3 New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
#4 New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Logic: You cannot pass up on a talent like Carter. At this point, you are taking the best player available regardless of need. As we have said all off-season. Carter and Hunter would be the two players that you bypass the offensive tackle need and take. In this scenario, you take Carter and add another pass rusher to an already talented group. Carter would fortify a defense that could be top five in the NFL next season.
Simulation Three
#1 Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Fla)
#2 Cleveland Browns: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
#3 New York Giants: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
#4 New England Patriots: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Logic: Again, Carter and Hunter would be the two players who would consider over an offensive tackle. Hunter profiles as a cornerback but you don’t need to play him at corner unless you use him in sub packages. Right now, he is a better corner than receiver but the ball skills and athleticism are there for Hunter to turn into a good receiver who can play the Z or the F. I would be more inclined to pass on Hunter than I would Carter but Hunter is an intriguing player nonetheless and he warrants consideration at four overall if he is there.
Simulation Four
#1 Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Fla)
#2 Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
#3 New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
#4 New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
Logic: Forget about the wingspan and arm length. The Patriots are not as worried about it as other teams might be or even their fanbase. If the top three picks are chalk like we expect them to be and the phone doesn’t ring, the Patriots are taking Campbell. Could they surprise us? Sure but I highly doubt it if you are hoping for Tyler Warren, do not hold your breath. It is possible but the Patriots affinity for Campbell is so strong that he would be the pick at four if it came down to the two players.
Simulation Five
#1 Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami (Fla)
#2 Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
#3 New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
#4 New England Patriots: Warren, Jeanty or Walker
Logic: The Patriots buck pre-draft trends and take a player that doesn’t necessarily fit a need but is too good to pass up. It could be tight end Tyler Warren, running back Ashton Jeanty or EDGE Jalon Walker. The Patriots have all three players high on their draft boards and they could throw need and conventional wisdom out the window and take one of them. It would be surprising but not shocking.