Patriots prioritize left tackle, wide receiver in draft

The New England Patriots are preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft after the recent free agency period. The team still needs to fill key positions, especially left tackle and wide receiver. Currently, their top options at wide receiver are not strong, which emphasizes the need to address this in the draft. In this mock draft, the Patriots are expected to select an offensive lineman and a wide receiver with their first two picks. The priority seems to be on the offensive line. With the fourth overall pick, they might draft Will Campbell, an offensive lineman from LSU. Although he has some drawbacks, Campbell could play as a starter at left guard or left tackle. For their second pick at 38th overall, the Patriots may choose Elic Ayomanor, a wide receiver from Stanford. He has impressive physical attributes and was the leading receiver for his college team. Despite past difficulties, the Patriots are determined to find talent at the wide receiver position. In the third round, the team could pick Josaiah Stewart, an edge rusher from Michigan. Although he is smaller for his position, his energy and stats from college make him an appealing choice. Additionally, Tate Ratledge, a guard from Georgia, might be picked to bolster the offensive line. Further down in the draft, the Patriots could select Gunnar Helm, a well-rounded tight end from Texas, and Trevor Etienne, a speedy running back from Georgia. In the final rounds, they might focus on adding depth with players like Hollin Pierce, a massive offensive tackle from Rutgers, and Cam Horsley and Drew Kendall, both defensive players from Boston College. These selections highlight the team's strategy to build a stronger roster through the draft while addressing pressing needs.