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With Sunday’s loss to the Denver Broncos, the New England Patriots will not repeat as Super Bowl champions. Looking ahead to the 2016 NFL Draft, where they won’t have a first-round pick due to the Deflategate scandal, here are five players the Patriots should target.
5. Navy RB Keenan Reynolds
Getty ImagesReynolds missed the East-West Shrine Game with a back issue, but the FBS career touchdown leader worked as a return man during the practice week as he makes the transition to running back. The Patriots are among the teams mentioned as a fit for the former Navy quarterback, and Bill Belichick always finds room for good football players.
4. Tulsa WR Keyarris Garrett
Stacy Revere Getty ImagesGarrett led the nation in receiving yards this past season (1,588), with 96 receptions and eight touchdowns. Questions about his level of competition in college will hurt him, but Garrett is the kind of big receiver (6-foot-3, 221 pounds) the Patriots can use.
3. Baylor OT/OG Spencer Drango
Ronald Martinez Getty ImagesDrango started 48 games at left tackle for Baylor, but he is widely listed as a guard heading into the Senior Bowl. His evaluation could be an interesting one for teams that need offensive line help, since he could jump into the first round if teams and analysts start to project him as a left tackle. If nothing else, Drango could be a trade-up target for the Patriots.
2. Texas Tech OT Le'Raven Clark
Getty ImagesClark was a four-year starter at Texas Tech, including three straight All-Big 12 First Team seasons as a left tackle after starting his career at right guard. New England clearly needs offensive line help, and Clark would add depth and potential versatility.
1. Oklahoma WR Sterling Shepard
Ronald Martinez Getty ImagesShepard is undersized (5-foot-10, 191 pounds), but he gets high marks from analysts for his all-around skill set and is coming off a productive senior season at Oklahoma (86 receptions for 1,288 yards and 11 touchdowns). The Patriots need to add more talent at wide receiver, and Shepard has the look of an immediate contributor.
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