The draft is almost here and Patriots fans are eager to see the direction Bill Belichick chooses to go with the team and most specifically, the offense. As it currently stands, the Patriots’ defense is in a solid spot. Though they’ll certainly add on defense in the draft, and maybe even in round one, the main focus is the offense. Wide receiver and offensive tackle, in my opinion, are the two biggest needs on the Patriots’ roster. In Couture’s Final 2023 Patriots Mock Draft, we’ll see the Patriots move around quite a bit, and stick to their roots with some picks while also getting outside their comfort zone. Let’s start this off.
Trade! The Patriots ultimately decide to move back and send #14 and #135 to the Chargers for #21 and #54
21st Pick: Boston College WR Zay Flowers
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After trading back to #21 overall, the Patriots land a true playmaker in Zay Flowers. The Boston College wideout would stay in New England and instantly bring a boost of speed, quickness, and toughness to the Patriots’ receiving room. Flowers is a matchup nightmare in short-yardage situations but yet he still has the speed to burn defenders on the deep ball. Belichick finally lands and hits on a premier wide receiver in the draft.
Zay Flowers showing he can work through physical coverage. Adding some weight should only help. Flowers is flashing the ability to handle contact without losing speed or getting thrown off his route.
— Tanner James (@tjdissect) April 10, 2023
Flowers game isn’t winning at the top-of-the-route, but rather his explosion. pic.twitter.com/779khW296b
Trade! The Patriots make a big move and jump back into the first round. Sending #46 and #54 to the Eagles for #30, #94 and their 2024 fourth-round pick
30th Pick: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs
After the addition of Flowers and now Jahmyr Gibbs, offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien gets two electric weapons to work with. Though he was already a highly coveted prospect, Gibbs has been slowly climbing draft boards and seems a lock to be a top-40 pick. The Patriots make the aggressive move and snag him in the first round to get the fifth-year option. O’Brien knows exactly how he can use Gibbs already as they were together at Alabama. The combination of Rhamondre Stevenson and Gibbs would create a lethal backfield for New England.
Jahmyr Gibbs displays patience as he presses the edges before cutting upfield. 1v1 with a safety & easily jump cuts past him into open space! #2023NFLDraft
— Full-Time Dame ? (@DP_NFL) April 19, 2023
pic.twitter.com/36uqD69Yng
76th Pick: Florida State Safety Jammie Robinson
New England adds a versatile and experienced safety in Jammie Robinson with this selection. Though he comes with limited size and length, Robinson makes up for it with his strength and toughness. He’s a great tackler with the versatility to be used all around the defense. Robinson reportedly met with the Patriots in recent weeks and could provide an immediate boost to the Patriots’ secondary
94th Pick: Alabama OT Tyler Steen
Tyler Steen comes in at 94th overall as offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien lands another Alabama player. Steen has college experience at both tackles spots and brings solid strength and athleticism. As a third-round tackle, Steen has some flaws in his game but he has prototypical Patriots traits and with the right development from O’Brien and newly hired OL coach Adrian Klemm, Steen has starter potential.
107th Pick: LSU DT Jaquelin Roy
Jaquelin Roy met with the Patriots before his pro day. The 6’3, 305-pound interior defensive lineman has experience as a nose tackle and in a three-technique. In 2022, Roy posted 49 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He comes with limited experience and certainly has room to grow as a player, but he has NFL-ready size and the upside to make him worth a selection here with the 107th pick.
?#LSU standout defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy has met on top 30 visits with the Philadelphia #Eagles, Dallas #Cowboys, Green Bay #Packers, Buffalo #Bills, per league sources.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 31, 2023
The New England #Patriots, Miami #Dolphins, Tennessee #Titans, and Jacksonville #Jaguars at his Pro… pic.twitter.com/CfdRUNIoUW
117th Pick: Appalachian State OLB/DE Nick Hampton
Nick Hampton has slowly but surely climbed up draft boards and has settled into a projected mid-round pick. The Appalachian State OLB comes with the athleticism to handle himself in coverage and the strength, size, and speed to get after the QB. Hampton posted nine sacks in nine games in 2022 and certainly comes with plenty of experience as a fifth-year senior.
One more Patriots trade! They send #184 and #210 to the Colts for #169
169th Pick: Penn State TE Brenton Strange
In what is a loaded tight end class, Brenton Strange seems to fall somewhere in the middle. He’s not going to overly impress you with any part of his game, but he’s a well-rounded tight end. Strange is a willing and quality blocker and has the speed and athleticism to offer some upside as a pass catcher.
In a draft with many high-end TE prospects, Brenton Strange is an intriguing day 2/3 guy. Good frame to make himself available as a red zone target, violent and strong hands as a blocker, and has some skills after the catch pic.twitter.com/tjjsyNOGr1
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) April 20, 2023
187th Pick: Penn State OC Juice Scruggs
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The Patriots go back-to-back Penn State players here as they add some depth to the offensive line. Juice Scruggs brings the versatility to play on all three spots on the interior offensive line and has the experience to play in multiple schemes. If that doesn’t scream New England Patriot, I don’t know what does.
192nd Pick: Ball State CB Nic Jones
The Patriots take a late-round swing in the hopes to find a gem in CB Nic Jones. He has the athleticism, experience, and versatility that the Patriots love to go after in the later rounds. As a Shrine Bowl participant, the Patriots had a long look at what the Ball State corner brings to the table. Adding a fourth Jones to the secondary room would be ideal.
245th Pick: Southern Miss CB Eric Scott Jr
In the seventh round, the Patriots take another crack at finding a late-round cornerback. New England spent extensive time with Eric Scott Jr as he was at the shrine bowl and coaches were even quoted with some eye-opening remarks calling him the “most comfortable corner they had in press coverage”. Scott features the size the Patriots are looking for at cornerback.
Potential UDFA Targets:
- Jackson State CB Isaiah Bolden
- NC State LB Isaiah Moore
- Oregon OG T.J. Bass
- UNH WR Sean Coyne
- Harvard RB Aidan Borguet
- Michigan P Brad Robbins
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