The NFL Combine is officially over and the time has come for the Patriots to start a seven-week preparation for the NFL Draft. Four Patriots coaches joined the scouting staff in Indianapolis, including WR coach Troy Brown, CB coach Mike Pellegrino, ST Coordinator Cam Achord, and Assistant ST Coordinator Joe Houston. The Combine results offer us a first glance at many prospects. Over the next seven weeks, dozens of players will work out, visit, and have private interviews with the Patriots. With March 15th quickly approaching, we jump into predicting one more Patriots draft before free agency kicks off. Let’s work through Couture’s Patriots Mock Draft 2.0.
For this mock draft, it’s 100% off the Patriots’ current roster. No potential pre-draft trades or free agent signings are considered.
Patriots Mock Draft 2.0
14th Pick: Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
One of the best performers at the Combine was Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN). He would bring an instant upgrade to the Patriots’ receiving room. The former five-star high school recruit broke onto the scene in 2021, racking up 1,606 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. After an injury-riddled 2022 season, JSN is out to prove he’s still the same player he was in 2021. He’s one of the best route runners in the class and brings elite quickness and consistency to his game. JSN could immediately slide into a top role for the Patriots in 2023 and help get Mac Jones back on track.
Trade! Patriots send #46 & #210 and a 2024 6th round pick to the Chicago Bears for #54 & #103
54th Pick: Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron
With this selection, the Patriots add Syracuse OT Matthew Bergeron to the mix. Bergeron played primarily left tackle in college, but did have limited snaps at right tackle as well. In the NFL, he projects to have the flexibility to play on either side of the line. He won’t “wow” you with his physical attributes, but Bergeron did nothing but impress during his starting time at Syracuse. He offers a solid frame with good balance and quickness to react to defenders. Adding Bergeron would allow the Patriots to have flexibility heading into the season. If they felt like he was ready to handle the starting left tackle duties, shifting Trent Brown back to the right side would be ideal.
76th Pick: Syracuse CB Garrett Williams
Patriots go back-to-back Syracuse Orange players here. Adding cornerback Garrett Williams as they look to solidify their secondary room. Like Bergeron, Williams comes with plenty of starting experience as he played over 1,700 snaps for Syracuse. He isn’t the biggest player but has a knack for matching up well against bigger wide receivers. Williams excels at tracking the ball downfield and uses his leaping ability to high-point balls and force pass breakups. He has some experience in zone and should be able to hold his own, but he excels most man-to-man. Something that the Patriots have loved to have in their top corner.
103rd Pick: Cincinnati LB Ivan Pace Jr
After acquiring the 103rd pick from the trade with the Bears, the Patriots start out day three by selecting an athletic linebacker from Cincinnati. Though Ivan Pace Jr. is undersized for the average linebacker, he plays the game with no fear. He’s a versatile defender that plays well against the run, is a quality tackler, and can rush the passer. The Patriots seem to have acknowledged the shift in the style of linebackers in recent years and the hope is they continue it here. Pace brings quality upside and the versatility that Bill Belichick loves in a defender.
107th Pick: LSU IDL Jaquelin Roy
Next, the Patriots take their first SEC player of the draft in LSU’s, Jaquelin Roy. The interior defensive linemen (IDL) played plenty of nose tackle for the Tigers in 2022 but is able to handle most IDL roles. He has the size and strength to transition well into the NFL. As a one-year starter at LSU, he is still growing as a player and offers quality upside. Roy is one of the more well-rounded IDL and would be able to slide right into the Patriots’ rotation along the defensive line.
117th Pick: Notre Dame S Brandon Joseph
Whether Devin McCourty returns in 2023 or not, the Patriots should be in the market for a long-term solution at free safety and Notre Dame’s Brandon Joseph offers just that. Joseph is a well-rounded safety that has the ability to help in a variety of ways. His speed isn’t great, but he plays confidently and offers a high football IQ that would be an ideal fit to replace McCourty as the center fielder of the defense. In a perfect world, Joseph can learn from one of the best safeties of the last decade for a year, but if needed, Joseph has the experience to earn a starting role early on in his career.
135th Pick: Lousville DE YaYa Diaby
YaYa Diaby would come to New England and offer an instant boost of athleticism to the defense. As one of the fastest and quickest edge rushers in his class, Diaby’s physical attributes are ready for the NFL. He is able to burst off the line and use his strength and balance to overwhelm offensive linemen. Diaby’s biggest weakness is something that can be fixed with coaching, as he has a limited pass-rushing approach at the moment. If he can become more diverse with his approach, Diaby has the potential to become a steal for whoever drafts him.
Trade! Patriots send #184 & #192 to the Vikings for 177 & 2024 6th round pick
177th Pick: Florida S Trey Dean III
The Patriots were able to get an up-close look at Florida’s Trey Dean III during the East-West Shrine Bowl this offseason. The fifth-year senior brings plenty of experience and versatility to his game with time as a free safety, as well as in the box. Though Dean does have experience playing deep, he most excels playing downfield as a tackler. He plays physical and can quickly shed blocks. Early projections have had Dean going sooner than 177th overall, and he still may. However, after an underwhelming combine, the safety could fall into the laps of the Patriots at this point in the draft,
187th Pick: Arkansas C Ricky Stromberg
This late in the draft, the Patriots look to find a hidden gem to add to their interior offensive line depth. Ricky Stromberg was a four-year starter with experience at both guard and center. Stromberg offers a high football IQ and a consistent motor that results in aggressive play. He could use some work in pass protection but can certainly handle his own as a run blocker. If the Patriots add Stromberg to the mix, he could pay off in the long run.
258th Pick: Oklahoma P Michael Turk
To close out the draft, the Patriots add Oklahoma punter, Michael Turk. This would help solve their dreaded punter woes from 2022. Jake Bailey is under contract in 2023, but after a very disappointing season, Turk has the ability to take his job.
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