New England has leaned into its identity as a physical team that is just going to blow up zone blocking schemes. Dean is a missile that will eliminate the pullers from the equation.
Burks is a good sized target who moves with surprising agility for a man his size (6-3, 232 lbs). The fluidity of his hip movements improves separation from defenders when pivoting and cutting on combo pass routes. Burks uses his frame to shield defensive backs from the ball when they challenge him on contested passes. The Patriots' rookie quarterback, Mac Jones is having an outstanding season so far, imagine how much better he'll become with the addition of Burks.
Burks gives the Patriots what they desperately need: a big-time playmaking receiver to pair with Mac Jones. This guy has all the gifts, and shows up when it matters most. His effort this past weekend against Alabama: 8 catches, 179 yards, and 2 touchdowns against the Crimson Tide in the Razorbacks' near-upset.
Every year there is a prospect that catapults himself out of nowhere into a first-round worthy draft pick. This year it's David Ojabo. The Patriots love taking versatile linebacker/edge rushers and take Ojabo with this pick. Ojabo has only played football a few years but Bill Belichick will find him intriguing and believe that he can develop Ojabo's athletic traits into an impactful football player.
London was running away with the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to college football's top pass-catcher, before fracturing his right ankle in Week 9. Despite not playing a full season, he still might -- and should -- take home the award given his routine dominance before the injury. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound receiver -- who at one point was on the USC basketball team -- earned a 91.8 receiving grade this year. He dominated in one-on-one scenarios and put up monster numbers due to his physicality and ball skills. London totaled 19 contested catches and 22 broken tackles in eight games. The former is six more than any other Power Five wide receiver through Week 12 while the latter is the second-most.
After the trade of Stephon Gilmore, cornerback and linebacker are likely the two biggest holes for New England entering the 2022 offseason. Lloyd is a versatile second-level defender who could provide value in multiple areas, and the Patriots don't have high-end options after Dont'a Hightower. Lloyd, who has 85 tackles, six sacks and three interceptions this season, could excel in a multiple-front defense that involves interchanging parts, and he'll pick up pressures as a blitzing pass-rusher as well.
