Chase Claypool, WR, Notre Dame
I can’t help but sneak Claypool into the mix here. He’s probably more likely to fall into the second or third round, but the Patriots don’t have a pick from 24th overall to 86th. That’s a big gap. Perhaps they’ll reach slightly on a player they love. Claypool has a lot of qualities that would appeal to the Patriots.
He’s a unique athlete, with really good size and speed. That’s what has some wondering whether he’s more of a tight end than receiver in the NFL. But that doesn’t matter; he’s a center-of-the-field threat that owns the red zone. That’s exactly where the Patriots needed help in 2019. Though he may need some time to get up to speed at the NFL level, Claypool can contribute immediately on special teams. It’s likely he’d be a four-down player by Week 1. That should appeal to Belichick.