- The New England Patriots are now favored at -135 odds to draft a defensive player in the first round.
- The Patriots still have questions at quarterback and wide receiver.
- Wisconsin Linebacker Zach Baun is the new mock draft favorite for the Pats.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Trying to understand the mind of Bill Belichick and his team on draft day is a daunting task every year, but this year he faces a hole in his lineup he hasn’t seen in almost two decades.
After losing Tom Brady to free agency, the New England Patriots are sitting with the 23rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Unless the Patriots elect to draft a quarterback, they are facing a decision between second year man Jarrett Stidham and veteran journeyman Brian Hoyer to run the offense next season.
The Patriots offense is also in need of skill position depth, an issue that hindered them at various points throughout last year.
These signs would point to New England selecting an offensive player in this year’s draft, with rumors indicating that they could be going for a QB with their first round pick.
However, betting lines have now shifted towards the Patriots selecting a defensive player 23rd overall.
Odds For Patriots First Round Draft Pick
Position Of First Draft Pick – New England Patriots:
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- Offense -105
- Defense -135
The Patriots lost linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, and Elandon Roberts to free agency, so they could elect to fill that gap with someone like Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zach Baun. Other options for Belichick on defense include Iowa Hawkeyes edge rusher A.J. Epenesa and versatile safety Xavier McKinney from the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The Patriots do not have a second-round pick, so they would have to wait until the mid-rounds to select a quarterback if they choose to go the defensive route. Despite earlier reports linking the Patriots to the Utah State Aggies’ Jordan Love, the oddsmakers believe defense is the priority early on.
The Patriots have no fear of drafting late round quarterbacks. Brady himself was notoriously a 6th round pick, and Belichick has drafted a bevy of backups in the late rounds over the years.
The Patriots could also decide to take a wide receiver or tight end in the first round, alleviating an issue many believe sent Brady to Tampa Bay.
NFL bettors looking to place wagers on the NFL Draft might want to consider both options before making a play on this line. As with any draft, it all depends on where certain players fall by the time the Patriots are on the clock. The only thing for certain right now is that there will be heavy scrutiny over whoever the Patriots select come draft night.
Jimmy Reinman honed his skills across various mediums including print, radio, and broadcast before bringing his arsenal of knowledge to the team here at USAOnlineSportsbooks in 2020. When he’s not writing, you can find him in a state of focused stress on any College Football Saturday, or maniacally constructing NBA parlays on a cool spring evening.
