Top-10 defensive prospects for Patriots in 2021 NFL Draft

March 30, 2021 c_admin NFL News Comments Off on Top-10 defensive prospects for Patriots in 2021 NFL Draft

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY

Oct 19, 2019; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Micah Parsons (11) gestures to fans prior to the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The 2021 NFL Draft is all about offense. At the top, anyway. There could be as many as five quarterbacks who are drafted before the Patriots at No. 15. There are also generational prospects at tight end and tackle, plus a handful of wide receivers with Pro-Bowl potential expected to go in the top half of the first round.

Perfect time for Bill Belichick to go defense.

The New England Patriots head coach is known for zigging when people expect him (or just want him) to zag. So in a year when a top quarterback could be in his range after the Patriots went 7-9 in 2020, it’s wise to mentally prepare for Belichick to pounce on the best defensive prospect available. There’s a chance that a special player slips a little too far due to an expected run on offensive prospects. And Belichick may not be done building the next generation of Patriots defenders, as some of their most important core pieces continue to age.

All the players you’ll meet below are ranked 29th or higher in Daniel Jeremiah’s newest Top-50 prospect rankings at NFL.com, and nine of them went in the first round of our own first 2021 NFL mock draft of the season. These are the names you should be ready to hear called on the first night of the draft.

  • STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 05: Micah Parsons #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after recording a sack against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Beaver Stadium on October 5, 2019 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

    Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

  • TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 07: Patrick Surtain II #2 of the Alabama Crimson Tide intercepts this reception intended for Tony Nicholson #13 of the New Mexico State Aggies in the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

    Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

  • ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Kwity Paye #19 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to sack Peyton Ramsey #12 of the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

    Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

  • Nov 16, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

    Brett Davis-USA TODAY

  • ATHENS, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Jaycee Horn #1 of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts as Israel Mukuamu #24 returns an interception for a touchdown in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on October 12, 2019 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

    Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

  • Nov 14, 2020; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane linebacker Zaven Collins (23) gets ready for a play during the game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Tulsa won 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

    Brett Rojo-USA TODAY

  • Dec 19, 2020; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) with the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (6) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

    Bob Donnan-USA TODAY

  • JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 02: Jamin Davis #44 of the Kentucky Wildcats celebrates a defensive stop against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on January 02, 2021 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

    Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

  • MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 21: Gregory Rousseau #15 of the Miami Hurricanes sacks David Moore #2 of the Central Michigan Chippewas in the first half against the at Hard Rock Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

    Mark Brown/Getty Images

  • Jan 1, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Azeez Ojulari (13) sacks Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) for a safety on the games final play during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

    Dale Zanine-USA TODAY

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