Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the Patriots will do in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft where New England holds the 15th pick.

EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN Senior Writer

PICK: TREY LANCE, QB, NORTH DAKOTA STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 25

NOTES: Projects a trade with the Denver Broncos to move up to the ninth pick of the NFL Draft.

Kiper's Analysis:
"Belichick and the Patriots have been quiet this offseason, but that should change soon. They have money to spend in free agency, and they need to find a quarterback. It doesn't appear likely that Cam Newton will return. The veteran QB trade market has dwindled. I could see a Jimmy Garoppolo return to New England, but I'm not sold that he'd be the long-term answer. Lance could be. He started only 17 career games in college -- all against FCS competition -- but he's only 20, and he has all the tools to be a great dual-threat quarterback. Remember that the Patriots have a few players returning after opting out of last season, too, so they could contend in the AFC East again."

Click here for Mel Kiper Jr's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer

PICK: MAC JONES, QB, ALABAMA

LAST UPDATED: February 25

Edward's Analysis:
"I do not think Bill Belichick is going to sit around and allow other teams to make decisions at the quarterback position before he gets his opportunity; especially after watching Tom Brady win a Super Bowl elsewhere. Mac Jones is not the ideal quarterback, but he is a substantial upgrade over what the franchise received a year ago."

Click here for Josh Edwards full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports NFL Writer

PICK: JEREMIAH OWUSU-KORAMOAH, LB, NOTRE DAME

LAST UPDATED: February 24

Trapasso's Analysis:
"Unless Bill Belichick signs a linebacker in free agency, I assume he'll have his sights set on 'The JOKer.'"

Click here for Chris Trapasso's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports Writer

PICK: AZEEZ OJULARI, LB, GEORGIA

LAST UPDATED: February 22

Wilson's Analysis:
"The Patriots didn't have much of a pass rush to speak of last season; Michigan alums Chase Winovich (5.5 sacks, led the team) and Josh Uche will continue to get better, but Ojulari is an immediate impact player who can set the edge against the run and get after the QB in passing situations."

Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston

PICK: ZACH WILSON, QB, BYU

LAST UPDATED: February 16

NOTES: Projects a trade with the Atlanta Falcons to move up to the fourth pick in the NFL Draft.

Perry's Analysis:
"For the Patriots, giving away their first two picks and a future second is a lot to move up 11 slots; it's a bit of an overpay, according to Rich Hill's trade value chart. But for Wilson? A quarterback who can make any throw on the field, from any platform? And accurately? Worth it. Plus, the Patriots have a way of replacing the 2021 second-round pick they lost in the trade ."

Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Senior Writer

PICK: KYLE PITTS, TE, FLORIDA

LAST UPDATED: February 16

Prisco's Analysis:
"He would give whoever plays quarterback a big-time weapon in the passing game. Josh McDaniels will have a lot of fun creating matchup issues with Pitts."

Click here to view Pete Prisco's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst

PICK: JAYCEE HORN, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA

LAST UPDATED: February 16

Jeremiah's Analysis:
"There's been a lot of scuttlebutt about the Patriots potentially trading Stephon Gilmore, whose contract expires after the 2021 season. In this scenario, New England looks to his alma mater to find the player who'll replace him."

Click here to view Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.

EXPERT: DANE BRUGLER, THE ATHLETIC

PICK: MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 11

Brugler's Analysis:
"The Patriots are another team that will be running through various quarterback scenarios this offseason, including a possible trade up into the top-10 picks. But if that doesn't materialize, Parsons would be a logical choice if he is still on the board. As long as the Patriots are comfortable with his character, he would give Bill Belichick a versatile athlete with All-Pro potential."

Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Todd McShay, ESPN Senior Writer

PICK: MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 10

McShay's Analysis:
"Not one of the top five quarterbacks are available, but this isn't a bad consolation prize for coach Bill Belichick. Parsons -- my No. 4 prospect overall -- slides to the No. 15 pick here because of unique circumstances following a rush on QBs and wide receivers. Dont'a Hightower will be back after opting out of the 2020 season and Chase Winovich has been disruptive off the edge, but Parsons gives Belichick a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can do a little bit of everything. And if the team moves on from Hightower after the 2021 season when he is set to be a free agent, Parsons would be the QB of this defense going forward. As for QB of the offense, it doesn't seem to be in New England's nature to trade up for one. Watch the free-agent market closely and keep an eye on what happens with former Patriot Jimmy Garoppolo, but if it comes down to the draft, the Patriots might have to look to Day 2 if all five QBs are indeed off the board."

Click here to view Todd McShay's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Glynn Morgan, NBC Sports

PICK: ZAVEN COLLINS, LB, TULSA

LAST UPDATED: February 10

Morgan's Analysis:
"Head coach, Bill Belichick just watched his former quarterback, Tom Brady prove he can win a championship without him. So, does New England believe it's just a quality signal caller away from doing the same, or are they closer to overhauling their roster? If they retain this draft pick, and don't select a young quarterback, chances are they'll pick a defensive difference maker. Collins displays the type of versatility Belichick loves in his defensive playmakers. Collins is effective within any defensive alignment and has the size and athleticism to dominate between the hashmarks."

Click here for Glynn Morgan's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL Draft Analyst

PICK: JAYCEE HORN, CB, SOUTH CAROLINA

LAST UPDATED: February 8

NOTES: Projects a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move back to the 25th pick in the first round.

Reuter's Analysis:
"If the Patriots can't get the quarterback they want in the first round, they could trade back, add some assets and then probably address their defense. With Jason McCourty a free agent this year, and Stephon Gilmore potentially on the market in 2022, picking up another former Gamecock in Horn makes sense."

Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus

PICK: JAYLEN WADDLE, WR, ALABAMA

LAST UPDATED: Feburary 8

Renner's Analysis:
"This would be a dream scenario for the wide receiver-needy Patriots. Waddle not only brings some much-needed speed to the table; he's also someone who can just flat-out get open.."

Click here for Michael Renner's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com Staff Writer

PICK: MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 8

Dussault's Analysis:
"At 15th overall, the Patriots should see a run on quarterbacks, receivers and offensive tackles clean out all the top prospects at those positions before their first selection. That leaves Penn State linebacker Parsons falling to them and he is just the kind of big and versatile defender that the Patriots' defense needs. A four-down impact player with impressive length and athleticism, they could deploy Parsons in a variety of ways in their defense."

EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL Media Draft Analyst

PICK: JUSTIN FIELDS, QB, OHIO STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 4

Renner's Analysis:
"It's hard to project where the QBs will land this year, as I expect grades to vary greatly by team. But Fields is a talented quarterback with big-game experience who will have a chance to compete for snaps immediately in New England."

Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Bucky Brooks, NFL Analyst

PICK: MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE

LAST UPDATED: February 1

Brooks' Analysis:
"The Patriots add a versatile defender with big-play potential to the lineup. The big-bodied 'backer is a dynamic player with the capacity to blitz from inside or rush off the edges."

Click here for Bucky Brooks full mock draft.

EXPERT: Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports Analyst

PICK: MICAH PARSONS, LB, PENN STATE

LAST UPDATED: January 28

McIntyre's Analysis:
"Bill Belichick's defense lacked toughness – something that hasn't been uttered in two decades. Belichick hasn't drafted a Penn State player since 2009, but the Nittany Lions haven't produced a 6-foot-3, 235-pound, heat-seeking missile who might run a 4.4 40-yard dash."

Click here for Jason McIntyre's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Steve Palazzolo, Pro Football Focus

PICK: DEVONTA SMITH, WR, ALABAMA

LAST UPDATED: January 25

Palazzolo's Analysis:
"While quarterback is an offseason priority in New England, adding playmakers is right there at the top of the list. Smith is coming off perhaps the best college wide receiver season of all time; he's an outstanding route-runner with after-the-catch and ball skills to win with any style. The Patriots may be in a tough spot to find their quarterback in the middle of the first, but adding Smith and his 94.9 PFF grade will make the future New England signal-caller quite happy."

Click here for Steve Palazzolo's full mock draft.