Mel Kiper, Jr. has intriguing pick for Patriots in latest 2023 Mock Draft

ESPN’s Mel Kiper, Jr. has released his latest mock draft for every pick in the first round, and it includes an intriguing name at the 14th pick for the New England Patriots. Find out who Kiper has coming to Foxboro this spring.

• Kiper sees the Patriots selecting Devon Witherspoon, (CB, Illinois) at #14 overall

  Here is why Kiper thinks Witherspoon would be a fit:

  Will the Patriots bring back free agent corner Jonathan Jones? That could determine what Bill Belichick & Co. do here, because this is a strong cornerback class in the back half of Round 1. There could be a run on defensive backs in the 20s. Witherspoon is my top-ranked corner, a long and physical player who shut down an entire side of the field for the Fighting Illini. He also is not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle.

  Outside of corner, New England could target offensive line or wide receiver with this pick to try to support quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled in Year 2.

• Check out some Highlights from Witherspoon here!!:

  Mel Kiper Jr. has the #Patriots drafting Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon at pick 14. On Witherspoon:
  
  🏈 6’1” 180 lbs
  🏈 42 tkls, 3 INT, 14 PDs in ‘22
  🏈 24.6 QBR-allowed, 1st in NCAA
  🏈Physical, hard-hitter, high-quality tackler.
  
  (🎥: @austingayle_) https://t.co/mWIBVjXnGr pic.twitter.com/4pegIbvNsC

  — Mike Kadlick (@mikekadlick) January 25, 2023

• More Devon Witherspoon as that one clip doesn’t do his physicality justice.
  
  Definition of a player having that 🐶 in him
  
  pic.twitter.com/lApK1wS0ml

  — Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) January 20, 2023

• Devon Witherspoon is my kind of cornerback. Physical, unafraid to stick his face in the fire, and he'll let you know about it too. Great processing skills here. Knows what's coming based on film study.
  
  Look at the ground he covers. First defensive play of the game, too. pic.twitter.com/PQezu9Z0rH

  — Josh Carney (@ByJoshCarney) January 24, 2023

• CB Devon Witherspoon from Illinois is one to watch. After watching him up close and talking to those in the know, they say he has the mentality of a number one corner.@FullPressNFL #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/XkfcpKnmFy

  — Full Press Raiders (@FP_Raiders) January 20, 2023

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