The NFL Draft is just over a week away and it’s one that could help the Patriots rebuild jump forward and transform them from a Wild Card playoff team to real contender. New England has acquired receiver DeVante Parker from Miami, which has shifted their draft priorities a bit.

In round one, the pick is offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann. New England has a significant potential future need at tackle because Isaiah Wynn is in the last year of his rookie deal and the good, but oft-injured Trent Brown is on a two-year deal. It’s reasonable to think the Patriots will have at least one, and possibly two, new starting tackles next year. Raimann is an enormous 6’7” tackle who could use a year to gain some muscle and familiarity with the Patriots system, much like Nate Solder did in 2011. He does well pass blocking and run blocking and the former high school tight end is athletic enough to get out in space to block for screens, which the Patriots love to run.

Brian Asamoah was selected in a previous mock draft, and his sideline to sideline defending ability made him the pick again in round two.

Justyn Ross at 85 is an interesting pick, though with some risk. He was a top-50 high school recruit and during his first two years at Clemson he seemed destined to be a high NFL draft pick. He had 1,000 yards his freshman year and a line of 66/865/8 during his sophomore year. However, spinal surgery in 2020 kept him out for the entire season. He bounced back in 2021, but did not look quite as good as he had in 2018-19. If he can get closer to that form another year removed from surgery, he’ll help the Patriots from day one. If not, he’ll be more of a rotational player in the NFL.

Outside corner is a significant need for the Patriots and Zyon McCollum could help the void the defense has on the boundary. He is 6’4” and runs a 4.33 40-yard dash. He played at the FCS level, but dominated. He was a team captain who picked off 13 passes and forced six fumbles in his career. He will need some development, but would help the Patriots sooner rather than later.

Matthew Butler is not necessarily the space eating defensive tackle the Patriots could use alongside Christian Barmore, but he possesses good athleticism and could be a rotational defensive tackle.

Of the final four picks to round out the draft, Josh Johnson is the most significant one. Johnson played 98% of his 2021 snaps in the slot and could be exactly what the Patriots need on the inside of their passing game. Since Julian Edelman’s 2020 injury and subsequent retirement, New England has not had the shifty, reliable slot that can get open for first downs in less than two seconds. Jakobi Meyers is a solid player, but he cannot do that. If Johnson develops into the Troy Brown/ Wes Welker/ Edelman role, it will be a major boost for the Patriots.