Here’s who the pick impacts for better, or worse, moving forward.
WR Kyle Williams: The expectation remains that the Patriots will still trade for wide receiver A.J. Brown later this offseason, but the team did not add another receiver throughout the draft. Even with Brown added to the group, that paves the way for Kyle Williams, who the team remains excited about, to take on a larger entering year two — especially with Kayshon Boutte’s name back in trade rumors as well. Williams’ skillset would make him a strong complement to Brown and Romeo Doubs atop the wide receiver depth chart.
P Bryce Baringer: After an up-and-down season at times, adding roster competition for punter Bryce Baringer as he enters a contract year seemed like a possibility for the Patriots. However, the team went seven rounds without selecting a punter and did not add one in undrafted free agency — while most of the top options at the position went elsewhere. Perhaps an addition still comes later, but it did not appear to be a priority for the Patriots.
CB Marcellas Dial Jr. and Kobee Minor: The Patriots first selection in the fifth-round on Day 3 was used on cornerback Karon Prunty. The lengthy, aggressive outside cornerback will now join the cornerback depth chart and provide direct competition for Dial and Minor.
OTs Marcus Bryant and James Hudson: New England’s next selection saw them invest at the offensive tackle position for the second time drafting Texas A&M’s Dametrious Crownover. With first round pick Caleb Lomu slotted in as the team’s top swing tackle behind Will Campbell and Morgan Moses, Crownover is now likely the in-house favorite for the fourth tackle spot over Bryant and Hudson.
“[Crownover] was one of the better players remaining on our board. So, there was a value there,” Ryan Cowden said. “We don’t ever know what’s going to happen tomorrow, the next day, so that’s why you stick to a concept of the best player available when you pick, even if it, today, looks crowded. That’s not going to maybe be the same in a week, two weeks or by the time we get the training camp.”
RBs Lan Larison and Terrell Jennings: Injuries did not allow Larison or Jennings to seize the RB3 role behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson last season. The team then drafted Alabama running back Jam Miller in the seventh-round on Saturday, adding another competitor for that role.
QB Drake Maye: The Patriots added a new backup quarterback to the room that Maye already had a previous relationship with, as he was in the same high school class as Behren Morton and attended QB camps together. Morton seems ready to do anything necessary to help Maye, making for a continued strong environment in the room.
“I am going to do whatever it takes. Throughout the week, game planning, prep. What he ever needs,” Morton said. “If he needs a coffee from Starbucks, I’m there for Drake. Whatever he needs throughout this process, I am here for him.”
WR Efton Chism III: Similarly to Kyle Williams, New England not adding a wide receiver in the draft is positive news for Chism. However, he will see some increased competition along the bottom of the depth chart as the team was aggressive in the UDFA wide receiver market adding four players.
