The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone, and the New England Patriots have come away with a deep, intriguing group of picks to talk about.
With 12 total selections, the Patriots have their deepest draft class since 2010, and they addressed all three phases of the game. Bill Belichick targeted high-upside prospects who fell unexpectedly to the Patriots in the first two rounds, then spent rounds 3-7 filling various needs and identifying players who seem like good fits for the New England program.
Round 1, No. 17: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
The Oregon Ducks take on then UCLA Bruins at 7:30 pm in Eugene, Oregon on Nov 19, 2022. (Jackson Fisk / Eric Evans Photography)
With their first two picks of 2023, the Patriots targeted highly touted prospects who slipped a little past their projected draft spot, for whatever reason. Our own draft guru Alex Barth believes that Gonzalez fell to 17 after being widely projected as a top-10-caliber pick because it’s a deep cornerback class overall and teams simply chose to wait on that position early on.
On the field, Gonzalez fills an immediate need for a bigger outside cornerback. Gonzalez stands at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds, and ran a strong 4.38 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine. Jack Jones is a little undersized for a boundary corner at 5-foot-10, and Marcus Jones projects as more of a slot guy, so the Pats needed to infuse their depth chart with someone who can match up better against big outside receivers. Many of those guys will be the No. 1 option on their team.
So, the hope is the Patriots just landed their No. 1 outside cornerback of the future. We’ll see how soon he plays with regularity, but considering what else the Patriots have on the depth chart, Gonzalez has the upside to start right away.
NFL.com says: “Explosive outside cornerback possessing a rare blend of physical and athletic traits. Gonzalez plays with fluid hips and blazing top-end speed, which should help him match against top-end targets in the future. … His testing numbers could send his draft stock skyrocketing, but the ingredients are already present to become a feared CB1 if he plays to his gifts.”
Round 2, No. 46: DE Keion White, Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh, PA – October 1, 2022: The Pitt Panthers football team hosts the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in an ACC contest at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh – Credit: Jeffrey Gamza
White is a fascinating pick for the Patriots, because it’s been a looong time since Belichick added a player of this type with a draft pick this high. And White was originally projected to go even higher than the 46th pick. But again, the Pats pounced on a high-upside prospect that fell to them.
Pure 5-technique defensive ends are becoming increasingly rare in the NFL these days, and White is considered a versatile prospect. But he profiles as a great fit as an end in the Patriots’ three-man fronts. At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, White was considered one of the best combinations of size and athleticism at his position in this year’s class. White has the upside of a three-down impact starter; it’s just a matter of how long it takes him to become a regular.
It’s been a long time since Belichick invested this kind of capital into this kind of player. At the same time, Belichick should very much know how to use White and put him in position to succeed. White fills a short-term need and carries long-term potential, so fans have reason to be excited about the pick.
NFL.com says: “Athletic big man offering scheme versatility and projectable upside. … He’s still in the developmental phase, but his physical/athletic profile gives him a chance to become a plus starter as a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive end.”
Round 3, No. 76: LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu (Sacramento State Athletics)
Mapu is the first Patriots pick of 2023 that was a bit of an eyebrow-raiser. A non-Combine invitee, Mapu told reporters that he did end up making 15 pre-draft visits, including with New England. So he wasn’t without interest going in.
The part to think about is that Mapu seems like a “tweener” without a defined position. Is he a small linebacker or a big safety? But that’s just the kind of player that Belichick tends to love. It’s unclear exactly how Mapu will fit in with the Patriots, and that’s why he represents a bit of a risky pick in the third round, in the top-80. But like everyone else, there’s a long way to go.
NFL.com says: “Mapu has been praised for his versatility, but he might need to prove he can excel in at least one department – whether in run support or in coverage – at the next level.”
Round 4, No. 107: C Jake Andrews, Troy
Troy FB at App State
The Patriots reportedly tried to trade down from this pick, before settling on Jake Andrews out of Troy, their first offensive line pick of the 2023 class. Andrews’ profile does project him as purely a center at the NFL level, which would make him a backup at best in the short-term. The Pats still have David Andrews entrenched as the starter and signed through 2024.
However, the Patriots have been filling the backup center slot with James Ferentz, who has been on and off the roster and practice squad for several years now. Perhaps the younger Andrews can carve out a permanent backup center role for himself, with the potential to possibly start down the road if his development goes well.
NFL.com says: “Andrews might lack length and be viewed as only a center at the next level, but he plays with strong hands, a wide frame and exceptional strength at the point of attack. … Players with Andrews’ thickness and drive-blocking talent tend to find their way onto rosters and often end up sticking around.”
Round 4, No. 112: K Chad Ryland, Maryland
Feb 1, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA; National kicker Chad Ryland of Maryland (38) kicks with National punter Bryce Baringer of Michigan State (99) holding during the second day of Senior Bowl week at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Another fascinating pick. The Patriots traded up in the fourth round to take Ryland – and the trade was with the Jets. This instantly makes Ryland a more valued draft pick than other recent selections like Quinn Nordin (undrafted, 2021) or Justin Rohrwasser (fifth round, 2020). Ryland should push Nick Folk for the kicker spot immediately, and it sure seems the Patriots have identified him as the answer for the future.
NFL.com says: “Ryland has the leg to make 50-plus-yard field goals and handle kickoffs, but it is nothing special by NFL standards. He will need to improve his overall accuracy and placement to make an NFL team.”
Round 4, No. 117: OG Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Eastern Michigan OG Sidy Sow lines up for a play. (Eastern Michigan Athletics)
The Patriots addressed the guard position in the first round last year with Cole Strange. In 2023, they waited until the fourth. Belichick’s track record with day-3 offensive linemen is pretty good; Shaq Mason was a fourth-round pick, for instance. Sow is a developmental prospect at guard, but has great size at 6-foot-5 and 323 pounds and has plenty of experience from playing at Eastern Michigan. The Pats will enter 2023 with plenty of interior depth.
NFL.com says: “Despite the starting experience, he struggles to find proper angles in the running game and respond to blitzes/twists in pass protection. While he could continue to improve and has some physical traits to work with, making a roster will be an uphill climb.”
Round 5, No. 144: OG Atonio Mafi, UCLA
UCLA Athletics – 2022 UCLA Bruins Football versus the University of Arizona Wildcats at The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA.
November 12th, 2022
Copyright: Don Liebig/ASUCLAIt’s rare that the Patriots pick anyone in the fifth round that isn’t a specialist, like a punter or long snapper. But here comes Mafi, who started 13 games at left guard as a senior at UCLA and earned second team All-Pac-12 honors. Mafi and Sow together provide insurance for right guard Mike Onwenu, who’s entering the last year of his contract.
NFL.com says: “He plays with a chippy temperament that coaches will like. Mafi is scheme-dependent, but he has the potential to be a good backup or low-end starter.”
Round 6, No. 187: WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 03: Kayshon Boutte #7 of the LSU Tigers against the Georgia Bulldogs during the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
This is no gunner. Boutte is a true wide receiver, but the question is just what version the Patriots are getting. The hope in New England is that they can restore Boutte to his level of production in 2020-21, when he averaged 15.0 yards per catch and caught 14 touchdowns in 16 games. Boutte’s performance fell off in 2022, and he also dealt with ankle surgery and a disappointing Combine, so he sank all the way to the sixth round. But with depth chart uncertainty beyond 2023, Boutte will have an opportunity in front of him to carve out a role on the offense.
NFL.com says: “Boutte’s size, speed and flashes over his first two seasons could be enough to override a very uneven 2022. … He’s talented with the ball in his hands and has playmaking potential if he reverts to his previous form. Boutte could work his way into an eventual WR2/3 role barring any further issues with his right ankle.”
Round 6, No. 192: P Bryce Baringer, Michigan State
Feb 2, 2023; Mobile, AL, USA; National punter Bryce Baringer of Michigan State (99) tracks his punt during the third day of Senior Bowl week at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile. Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
The Patriots became the first team since the 2000 Raiders to draft a kicker and punter in the same year. Clearly, Belichick is hoping that he’s landed two key specialists for the long-term with the selections of Bryce Baringer and kicker Chad Ryland. The pair actually worked together at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, so there’s some familiarity there.
Round 6, No. 210: WR Demario Douglas, Liberty
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 20: Demario Douglas #3 of the Liberty Flames carries the ball against the Toledo Rockets during the first half of the RoofClaim.com Boca Raton Bowl game at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2022 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The Patriots double-dipped at receiver on day 3, with Douglas representing an option in the slot. Douglas is severely undersized at 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds, and described as good-but-not-great at route-running and catching, so he was just a day-3 flier. But the Patriots place more value on slot receivers than most teams, especially with Bill O’Brien back, and Douglas is one of the few true slot guys they have on the roster.
Like Boutte, Douglas should also have plenty of opportunity to earn playing time on both offense and special teams.
Round 6, No. 214: DB Ameer Speed, Michigan State
Michigan State’s Ameer Speed goes after a ball that was blocked during a Rutgers field goal attempt during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in East Lansing. (Syndication: Lansing State Journal)
At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, with a 4.34 in the 40-yard dash, Speed comes into the NFL with excellent measurables – and lives up to the promise of his last name. It’s possible that his ceiling in the NFL is as a special teams player, due to a lack of polish as a defensive back. But his size and pure athletic abilities make him a moldable player for Belichick and an intriguing add to the special teams depth chart for 2023.
Round 7, No. 245: DB Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI – DECEMBER 03: Isaiah Bolden #23 of the Jackson State Tigers breaks up a pass during the second half of the game against Tyler Kirkwood #80 of the Southern University Jaguars in the SWAC Championship at Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium on December 03, 2022 in Jackson, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
The Patriots finished off their 2023 draft class with another big defensive back. Bolden is a big boy at 6-foot-2, 203 pounds, immediately making him the largest cornerback on the roster – that is, if the Patriots view him as a corner. Scouting reports describe Bolden as a player with the potential to excel in press-man coverage, but might struggle too much with zone and other aspects of secondary play to be a regular at the NFL level.
