2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round after college football season

The Patriots have been counted out all season, so the obvious next step would be for them to win the Super Bowl this year.

The current roster has a litany of holes that need to be plugged in order for the Patriots to get over the Super Bowl hump once again. The struggles on defense have caused the Patriots to slip this year more so than aging Tom Brady, with New England ranking 16th in defensive DVOA.

They need to identify help on the defensive line this offseason to combat their struggles in rushing the passer and stopping the run. The Pats finished the regular season tied for 30th in the NFL in sacks, only ranking ahead of the lowly Raiders. They also surrendered 4.9 yards per rush attempt, a mark that placed them tied for 27th in the league.

Zach Allen could provide help in both areas. Allen may never be an elite pass rusher as he managed only 16.5 sacks in his 37 game career at Boston College, but he projects as at least a serviceable one. His main value is as an edge setter against the run, where he has thrived in Chestnut Hill.

He has been an excellent run stopper, racking up 40.5 tackles-for-loss in his career, including 15.5 this year.

The Patriots could also look at grabbing a rookie WR with this pick, as veterans Phillip Dorsett, Chris Hogan, and Cordarrelle Patterson are all slated to hit free agency after the season. They might also target a tight end like Irv Smith or Noah Fant to replace Rob Gronkowski, who is likely to retire at season’s end.

Don’t discount the possibility that they look at identifying their Tom Brady replacement here, either. After trading Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers last season, New England is left without a Brady replacement. As ageless as Brady has seemed over his career, father time remains undefeated, and the end of his career is on the horizon. The Pats have to start grooming a successor this offseason.