The New England Patriots’ early exit from the 2019 playoffs should make for a more compelling first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Bill Belichick and his front office staff are slated to pick at 23rd overall, a spot where they drafted left tackle Isaiah Wynn, cornerback Ty Law and tackle Bruce Armstrong in past years. Not bad, not bad at all.
The Patriots will look to find a similarly impactful player in this year’s draft. And though New England had a solid 2019 season, it could target just about any position in the first round of this year’s draft. Perhaps the only positions the Patriots would not target are cornerback and running back. Even so, never say never with Belichick, who always surprises during the draft process.
Here are 13 realistic targets for the Patriots in the first round.
Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
There are so many good receivers in this draft class and there’s no knowing which ones will be available at 23rd overall. But there’s little doubt that elite playmakers will be there. The top wideouts are CeeDee Lamb, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. Past that, it’s anyone’s guess who goes off the board. But Higgins, a player whose game may someday resemble A.J. Green’s, could be the long and lean wideout who plays well opposite N’Keal Harry for years to come. Higgins uses his frame well, though there’s some question about how well he can stretch the top of a defense.