The New England Patriots could take just about any position in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft (except maybe cornerback), and it wouldn’t come as a surprise.
In the latest CBS Sports mock draft, the website has the Patriots selecting LSU edge K’Lavon Chaisson, who finished the 2019 season with 60 tackles and 6.5 sacks in the SEC. He also helped the Tigers win the College Football National Championship, with two tackles in the title game.
Here’s a look at what CBS wrote about Chaisson:
“Do you think the Patriots would be in the market for a versatile pass-rusher with a massive ceiling who can play on all three downs? Me too. If teams are comfortable with Chaisson’s medicals following a 2018 ACL tear, he could go much higher.”
For New England, a defensive end and linebacker hybrid makes plenty of sense.
The Patriots couldn’t find a way to replace Trey Flowers, who departed for the Detroit Lions in free agency in 2019. New England traded for defensive end Michael Bennett, but adjusted its defensive front away from a 4-3 and into a 3-4 (or an amoeba defense). That deemphasized Bennett’s role on the defense, which led the Patriots to trade him to the Dallas Cowboys early in the season. New England instead relied upon John Simon, Chase Winovich, Adam Butler and Deatrich Wise to play defensive end.
Depending upon what the Patriots do with their defensive front, Chaisson might actually be a suitable replacement for pending free agents and outside linebackers Kyle Van Noy and/or Jamie Collins, depending upon what they decide in March. Regardless, Chaisson seems to have the versatility to take a sizable role on the edge, regardless of his labelled position.
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