Riggo's Rag
FanSided

NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Could Saquon Barkley fall to the Redskins at No. 13?

By Ian Cummings

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions walks on the field during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl against the Washington Huskies at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
32 of 33
Next

47. . Defensive End. LSU. Arden Key. 31. player

In my last mock draft, I had the New England Patriots selecting Marcus Davenport, another edge rusher, with this NFL Draft pick. However, in this mock, Arden Key drops, due to some character and injury concerns, and the Patriots are eager to lock down his talents.

Key is a talented player. That alone is undeniable. Before his final season at LSU, he was being hailed as a possible top five pick. However, inconsistency and a perceived drop in impact led to a slide in value, and now, Key is viewed as a fringe first-round prospect. Some teams may weight his abilities higher than others, but the fact of the matter is that a slip like this is very possible.

With this pick, the Patriots undoubtedly get value from Key’s upside. At 6-foot-6, he’s long enough to wrench blockers to the side, and up until his final season, he had a quick, abrupt get-off at the line of scrimmage. Due to injuries, that quality wasn’t as prevalent in 2017, and that is something he’ll need to work on getting back.

When it’s all said and done, the New England Patriots need more talent on the defensive side of the ball. Arden Key can give them that, and at the No. 31 pick in the NFL Draft, it will be hard to pass up on this opportunity.

Home/Commanders Draft News