As the 2019 NFL Draft draws near, Patriots.com looks at prospects at each position that might make sense for New England.
NEED:
Sony Michel is coming off an impressive rookie season as the first-round pick was a key part of the Patriots postseason run. The hope is that he'll evolve as both a playmaker and a pass catcher in year two, within a group that returns elite third-down option James White, versatile veteran Rex Burkhead and Brandon Bolden, who's home again in Foxborough after a year in Miami. New England would seem unlikely to surprise with a running back pick early in the draft for the second straight year.
OPTIONS:
1 – Damien Harris, Alabama: Nobody has a greater pipeline to Tide prospect intel than Bill Belichick. Harris split the load with Josh Jacobs and is an interesting mix of power running and pass-catching ability. Pairing Harris with Michel would certainly give the Patriots a nice SEC youth movement in the backfield.
2 – Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky: Belichick has always had an affinity for bigger backs over the years and the stocky, confident Snell is one of the beefier options in this year's class. A downhill runner with a pretty decent nose for the end zone, the Kentucky product might an option in the latter rounds.
3 – Dexter Williams, Notre Dame: Basically a one-year wonder in terms of production for the Irish, Williams is a pretty complex prospect. He has off-field concerns but also a solid package of size, wiggle and developmental upside as a possible lead back.
4 – Elijah Holyfield, Georgia: We all know the respect the Patriots have shown lately for SEC players and Bulldogs in particular. Holyfield is a physical at times violent runner coming off a breakout season. He's not huge, but is another candidate as a later-round power runner.
5 – Bryce Love, Stanford: The former Heisman runner-up had a terrible senior season that ended with a torn ACL. He's probably not a real option until 2020, but there was a time when he was arguably one of the most productive, dynamic players in college football. For a team with 12 picks, why not use one to stash a possible star?
OTHER NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
- Justice Hill, Oklahoma State
- Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
- Mike Weber, Ohio State
- Miles Sanders, Penn State
