2020 NFL Mock Draft: Dueling GMs mock sees Redskins make big move

Jacob: What a steal this could turn out to be for the Patriots. Kinlaw has the talent needed to be a top-15 pick. And there’s a chance that he could go as high as No. 9 to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But in this mock, he slips a good deal. He nearly went at 17 to the Cowboys, but other positional needs after that caused him to land in the Patriots’ lap.

And if you know Bill Belichick, you know that he’s going to try to capitalize on that value. Especially on the interior defensive line, a position that could use more depth after the departure of Danny Shelton in free agency.

Kinlaw is a 6-foot-6, 310-pound interior defender who should be a well-rounded contributor and pass rusher at the next level. He had six sacks last season for South Carolina after recording four the year before. He has a great motor, good work ethic, and by all accounts is a high-character guy. He has the traits needed to develop into a star at the next level if properly coached. And there’s no doubt he would get that with Belichick.

I don’t think Kinlaw ultimately will fall this far. But if he does, expect the Patriots to scoop him up. However, if a top-tier talent doesn’t fall, the Patriots will almost certainly trade down. They lack a Round 2 pick after trading theirs for Mohamed Sanu last year in a pre-trade-deadline overpayment of a trade. Belichick loves second-rounders, so perhaps they’ll move down with a team looking to grab a falling talent or a quarterback, depending on who’s on the board.