After transferring in from Miami (Ohio), he racked up 137 tackles, 21 1/2 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in his lone season with the Bearcats, including a terrific 17-tackle, two-sack showing in Cincy’s bowl game at Fenway Park. A downhill terror, Pace led all off-ball linebackers in both run stops and total pressures in 2022, per PFF, which called him “one of the best blitzers you’ll ever see.” He followed that up with a standout showing at the Senior Bowl, which produces multiple Patriots picks in nearly every draft.
Sixth round, No. 184 overall: RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
The knock on Vaughn is obvious, as very few 5-foot-6, 176-pound running backs have enjoyed successful NFL careers. But the Patriots haven’t cut bait with the unproductive J.J. Taylor despite his similarly tiny stature, and they’ve found gems in the past in slightly larger backs like Dion Lewis and Danny Woodhead. Vaughn was phenomenally productive at K-State (3,604 rushing yards, 34 touchdowns over three seasons), and his talents as a pass-catcher (40-plus receptions in 2021 and ’22) would fill a void in New England’s running back room.
The Patriots added some necessary backfield depth by signing veteran James Robinson, but he had less than 500 yards from scrimmage last season in his return from a torn Achilles. Strong and Kevin Harris also are unknown commodities after playing sparingly as rookies.
Sixth round, No. 187 overall: P Adam Korsak, Rutgers
The lone holdover from Mock Draft 1.0, Korsak looks like a natural fit for the Patriots, who no longer have any punters under contract after cutting Jake Bailey. The 25-year-old Australian won the Ray Guy Award as the best punter in college football, owns the NCAA records for career punts and punt yards, allowed -11 total return yards in 2022, was a three-year captain and played for a friend of Belichick in Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano.
Sixth round, No. 192 overall: K Jake Moody, Michigan
Yep, two specialists in a six-pick span. Unlike punter, kicker isn’t a glaring need for New England, but Nick Folk turns 39 in November and saw his effectiveness dip slightly in 2022. Moody starred for the Patriots-coached West Team at the East-West Shrine Bowl, going 4-for-4 on field goals with a pair of 51-yarders to earn co-MVP honors.
Sixth round, No. 210 overall: LB Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
Patriots coaches reportedly “singled out” Diabate when listing their top performers from Shrine Bowl week. He started 29 games and played in 49 across stints at Florida and Utah, and he has the ability to play either off the ball or on the edge. The Patriots drafted at least one linebacker in Round 5 or 6 in five of the last eight years.
Seventh round, No. 245 overall: CB Nic Jones, Ball State
Jones isn’t as tall and long as Porter, but the 6-foot, 189-pounder would add size and ball skills to New England’s lilliputian collection of cornerbacks. He played well for the Patriots’ Shrine Bowl squad and was an asset on special teams in college, blocking one kick and one punt in his career.
