Mississippi State football Mock Draft 2020: Predicting Bulldogs landing spots

Despite some fantastic physical qualities, linebacker Willie Gay Jr. may not hear his name called until later in the 3rd round. Offfield issues, including several suspensions, raise a red flag for many teams who aren’t willing to risk a potential landmine.

Even so, it’s hard to ignore the explosive speed and hard-hitting style of a player like Gay, and if there’s any franchise that’s known for working with players that have issues off the field, it’s the Patriots.

Gay has exactly the kind of toolset Bill Belichick loves in a linebacker, and a pass-coverage OLB with speed is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Pats with the loss of both Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins this season.

There are a few aspects of Gay’s game that need some work – such as taking better angles, and run-stopping – but those are all very coachable, and Belichick is a master at getting the most out of a young player with potential.

The Patriots have two compensatory picks in the 3rd round, and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see them give Gay his shot with one of them.