Round 2: Chase Claypool (WR/TE), Notre Dame
In my most recent mock draft for For The Win, I put Claypool in the first round. But the truth is that his skillset is unique and it’s entirely possible no one picks him until the third round. So let’s meet in the middle: the second round. The Patriots don’t have a second-round pick, but they do have one first-rounder and three third-rounders. There will be opportunities for New England to trade back or up in the second.
Back to Claypool. He’s a special teams standout who can contribute to the team on Day 1 in that phase of the game. In some ways, this pick would be like Tavon Wilson, another special teams standout who the Patriots hoped would be more productive at his true position, safety. The same is true of Claypool, who is a Devin Funchess-like wideout that owns the red zone and the middle of the field with such dominance that some think he could be a tight end in the NFL. He’s an intriguing prospect for Belichick to mold.