NBC Sports Boston

● By Phil Perry
It's not a great year for the Patriots to be selecting at No. 21 overall. Sure, they found Vince Wilfork at 21 back in 2004. And Chandler Jones went at the same spot in 2012. But after speaking with scouts, executives and coaches leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, the consensus is that by the time Bill Belichick is on the clock, the players with 'first-round' types of grades will likely be gone. 'It could be one of those years,' said one AFC exec. 'After the first 20 or so, you're looking at the next 20 being pretty similar (talent-wise).'