Niner Noise
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2018 NFL Draft: Round 1 mock after flurry of NFL trade deadline deals

By Peter Panacy

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 28: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell annonces DeForest Buckner of Oregon as the #7 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers during the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University on April 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images) /
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player. 47. . Cornerback. Texas. Holton Hill. 28

Top Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler hits free agency this offseason, and it’s likely head coach Bill Belichick lets him walk. Rarely do you see the crafty head coach overpay for a player he’s likely able to replace during the offseason.

Texas’ Holton Hill is the perfect replacement here. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Hill’s body type is more than capable of matching up against elite-level receivers. He has both ballhawking traits and solid speed to keep up with any receiver at the NFL level.

New England’s defense has settled a bit after a rough start to 2017. But with a key piece like Butler about to leave, this pick makes a lot of sense.