As the 2020 NFL combine approaches, it’s time to dive deeper into mock drafts, with multiple-round projections of how the draft will go. It’s all in good fun at this point in the process, with plenty of evaluation and rumor milling still to go. Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling put together a four-round mock draft, which features three selections from New England.

The Patriots traded away their second-rounder for receiver Mohamed Sanu, and while they are likely to get two third-round compensatory picks (Trey Flowers, Trent Brown), the NFL has yet to award those selections. So Easterling skipped them for now. Here’s a look at the Patriots’ three picks.

23. Antoine Winfield, Jr. | S | Minnesota

Here’s what Easterling wrote on the selection:

“Another safety not named Grant Delpit? Don’t be surprised. Tom Brady’s future is obviously the big question mark, and finding him another pass-catcher could be a priority here if he returns. That said, the Pats need to address their need for youth on the back end of the defense, and Winfield’s combination of physical and mental tools would be a perfect match.”

It’s fun to consider the Patriots drafting Brady’s successor, a tight end (like Notre Dame’s Cole Kmet) or a receiver (like LSU’s Justin Jefferson). But the Patriots need to get younger at safety, where Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung are entering their mid 30s. McCourty is also a pending free agent, and may depart this offseason. Even Duron Harmon looks like a candidate to be a cap casualty, even if that feels unlikely. Winfield isn’t a sexy pick, but it’s the type of selection Bill Belichick likes to make.

87. Adam Trautman | TE | Dayton

The Senior Bowl standout showed that, while he spent his college career at a lower level of competition, he is physically capable of competing with some of the nation’s best college players. But what about the best pros? Here’s what The Athletic’s Dane Brugler said about Trautman:

“Trautman is a fluid big man, and his basketball background shows at the catch point with his ability to adjust and attack. His routes need fine-tuning and his blocking is based more on effort than technical understanding right now, although he doesn’t lack in intensity or effort in either category. Overall, Trautman doesn’t have the body of work versus top-level competition, but his athleticism and pass-catching traits for a player his size make him a highly intriguing prospect, projecting as a player who should crack the starting lineup as an NFL rookie.”

Considering the Patriots were woefully understaffed at tight end in 2019, they’d be wise to stock up on talent at the position in the draft and during free agency. It’s much clearer than last season: Rob Gronkowski isn’t coming back. They should act accordingly.

115. Robert Hunt | OL | Lafayette (pick from CHI)

With the Patriots potentially set to lose both Joe Thuney and Ted Karras in free agency, New England may want to keep restocking with young talent in hopes one of their picks will prove ready to start. The Patriots have Hjalte Froholdt, a 2019 fourth-round pick who spent his rookie season on IR. New England also traded for Jermaine Eluemunor. Add in Hunt, and they should have a satisfactory level of competition for the starting job at left guard.

[vertical-gallery id=80305]