Welcome to the Patriots Draft Tracker at 98.5 The Sports Hub. Get the latest news, analysis, and more on the New England Patriots and the National Football League in rounds 2-3 of the 2023 NFL Draft in Kansas City on Friday night.
Patriots Draft Picks
First Round, No. 17: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Second Round, No. 46: DE Keion White, Georgia Tech
Third Round: No. 76: LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
RESULTS: Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3
Patriots Take LB Marte Mapu With 76th Pick
Sacramento State nickleback Marte Mapu (5) celebrates with his teammates after sacking Colorado State quarterback Clay Millen at Canvas Field in Fort Collins, Colo. on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. (Syndication: The Coloradoan)
The Patriots addressed their linebacker room with the 76th pick in the third round. They went with Marte Mapu out of Sacramento State. Mapu stands at 6-foot-3 and 217 pounds, which may make him more of a big safety than a linebacker at the NFL level. The Patriots do have a long-term need at safety, after the retirement of Devin McCourty. They could use depth at inside linebacker as well.
Read What The Scouts Said About Keion White
Georgia Tech DE Keion White in a game against Florida State (Georgia Tech Athletics)
New Patriots defensive end Keion White was a highly touted prospect entering the draft, which means a lot of legitimate scouting reports came out on him. Read more about what the experts are saying about the Patriots’ second-round pick.
Patriots Take DE Keion White With 46th Pick
PITTSBURGH, PA – OCTOBER 01: Kedon Slovis #9 of the Pittsburgh Panthers is hit as he throws by Keion White #6 of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on October 1, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Patriots ended up staying put at No. 46 instead of moving up or down. With their selection, they take defensive end Keion White out of Georgia Tech.
Our own Alex Barth predicted the Patriots to take White in his final mock draft, but Barth had the Pats trading up to 37. So, this seems like a pretty good value for White to fall to 46.
Barth: “A high-level athlete at 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, he’s a converted tight end that had a breakout year for Georgia Tech in 2022 with 14 tackles for a loss and 7.5 sacks in 12 games. White is considered one of the more high-upside players at his position in this draft. He wins with his physical tools right now but should become even more effective as he further learns the nuances of the position.”
Titans Trade Up For Will Levis
Will Levis #7 of the Kentucky Wildcats throws the ball during the second half against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks at Kroger Field on September 3, 2022 in Lexington, Kentucky. Levis led the Wildcats to a 7-5 regular season record.
The Titans and new GM Ran Carthon have made an aggressive move for a young quarterback. Will Levis is a Titan after falling all the way out of the first round, but the fact that Tennessee moved up eight spots from 41 to 33 shows big confidence that Levis has a chance to be a difference-maker at the most important position on the field.
A fascinating move for the Titans and head coach Mike Vrabel, who still has Ryan Tannehill – but now, some real competition for his spot.
Steelers Take Joey Porter Jr.
STATE COLLEGE, PA – OCTOBER 22: Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after a play against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half at Beaver Stadium on October 22, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh starts things off with a bang. Joey Porter Jr. is, of course, the son of Steelers legend Joey Porter, and played college ball in the Steelers’ backyard at Penn State. He plays cornerback, though.
But clearly, the Steelers preferred tackle Broderick Jones in the first round over a cornerback, which partly helped Christian Gonzalez fall to the Patriots. Pittsburgh is certainly thrilled they were able to wait until 33 to land Porter Jr., who made sense for them for a multitude of reasons.
Read More On Patriots First-Round Pick Christian Gonzalez
The Oregon Ducks take on then UCLA Bruins at 7:30 pm in Eugene, Oregon on Nov 19, 2022. (Jackson Fisk / Eric Evans Photography)
— Why Phil Perry gives the Christian Gonzalez pick an A+ grade
— What the experts are saying about new Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez
— Why CB Christian Gonzalez fell to the Patriots in the draft
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text “THE PICK IS IN” for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
2023 NFL Draft Results: Round 1
1. Panthers (from Bears): QB Bryce Young, Alabama
2. Texans: QB C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
3. Texans (from Cardinals): Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama
4. Colts: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida
5. Seahawks (from Broncos): CB Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
6. Cardinals (from Lions via Rams): OT Paris Johnson Jr., Ohio State
7. Raiders: DE Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech
8. Falcons: RB Bijan Robinson, Texas
9. Eagles (from Bears): DT Jalen Carter, Georgia
10. Bears (from Eagles): OT Darnell Wright, Tennessee
11. Titans: OT Peter Skoronski, Northwestern
12. Lions (from Cardinals): RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
13. Packers (from Jets): DE Lukas Van Ness, Iowa
14. Steelers (from Patriots): OT Broderick Jones, Georgia
15. Jets (from Packers): DE Will McDonald, Iowa State
16. Commanders: CB Emmanuel Forbes, Mississippi State
17. Patriots (from Steelers): CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
18. Lions: LB Jack Campbell, Iowa
19. Buccaneers: DT Calijah Kancey, Pittsburgh
20. Seahawks: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
21. Chargers: WR Quentin Johnston, TCU
22. Ravens: WR Zay Flowers, Boston College
23. Vikings: WR Jordan Addison, USC
24. Giants (from Jaguars): CB Deonte Banks, Maryland
25. Bills (from Jaguars): TE Dalton Kincaid, Utah
26. Cowboys: DT Mazi Smith, Michigan
27. Jaguars: OT Anton Harrison, Oklahoma
28. Bengals: DE Myles Murphy, Clemson
29. Saints (from 49ers): DT Bryan Bresee
30. Eagles: DE Nolan Smith
31. Chiefs: DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas State
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: A video board displays the text “THE PICK IS IN” for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Draft Results: Round 2
32. Steelers (from Bears): CB Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
33. Titans: QB Will Levis, Kentucky
34. Lions: TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
35. Raiders: TE Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
36. Rams: G Steve Avila, TCU
37. Seahawks (from Broncos): DE Derick Hall, Auburn
38. Falcons: OT Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
39. Panthers: WR Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
40. Saints: DE Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame
41. Cardinals: LB B.J. Ojulari, LSU
42. Packers: TE Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
43. Jets: C Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
44. Colts: CB Julius Brents, Kansas State
45. Lions: S Brian Branch, Alabams
46. New England Patriots: DE Keion White, Georgia Tech
47. Commanders: CB Jartavius Martin, Illinois
48. Buccaneers: C Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
49. Steelers: DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
50. Packers: WR Jayden Reed, Michigan State
51. Dolphins: CB Cam Smith, South Carolina
52. Seahawks: RB Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
53. Bears: DT Gervon Dexter Sr., Florida
54. Chargers: DE Tuli Tuipulotu, USC
55. Chiefs: WR Rashee Rice, SMU
56. Bears: CB Tyrique Stevenson, Miami
57. Giants: C John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
58. Cowboys: TE Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan
59. Bills: OG O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
60. Bengals: CB D.J. Turner, Michigan
61. Jaguars: TE Brenton Strange, Penn State
62. Texans: C Juice Scruggs, Penn State
63. Broncos: WR Marvin Mims Jr., Oklahoma
Apr 26, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; The 2023 NFL Draft logo on the main stage at Union Station. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
2023 NFL Draft Results: Round 3
64. Bears: DT Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
65. Eagles: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
66. Eagles: DB Sydney Brown, Illinois
67. Broncos: LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas
68. Lions: QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
69. Texans: WR Tank Dell, Houston
70. Raiders: DT Byron Young, Alabama
71. Saints: RB Kendre Miller, TCU
72. Cardinals: CB Garrett Williams, Syracuse
73. Giants: WR Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
74. Browns: WR Cedric Tillman, Tennessee
75. Falcons: DE Zach Harrison, Ohio State
76. Patriots: LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
77. Rams: DE Byron Young, Tennessee
78. Packers: TE Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State
79. Colts: WR Josh Downs, North Carolina
80. Panthers: DE D.J. Johnson, Oregon
81. Titans: RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane
82. Buccaneers: DE YaYa Diaby, Louisville
83. Broncos: CB Riley Moss, Iowa
84. Dolphins: RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
85. Chargers: LB Daiyan Henley, Washington State
86. Ravens: LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson
87. Vikings: DB Ji’Ayir Brown, Penn State
88. Jaguars: RB Tank Bigsby, Auburn
89. Rams: DT Kobie Turner, Wake Forest
90. Cowboys: LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas
91. Bills: LB Dorian Williams, Tulane
92. Steelers: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
93. Chiefs: OT Wyatt Morris, Oklahoma
94. Cardinals: WR Michael Wilson, Stanford
95. Bengals: S Jordan Battle, Alabama
96. Lions: DT Brodric Martin, Western Kentucky
97. Commanders: C Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
98. Browns: DT Siaki Ika, Baylor
99. 49ers: K Jake Moody, Michigan
100. Raiders: WR Tre Tucker, Cincinnati
101. 49ers: TE Cam Latu, Alabama
102. Vikings: CB Mekhi Blackmon, USC
