Welcome to the Patriots Draft Tracker at 98.5 The Sports Hub. Here you will get the latest news and analysis on the New England Patriots on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL Draft. The Pats have nine picks, so there will be plenty of activity, whether they keep their selections or make trades. You can expect a mix of both.
Patriots Draft Picks
Round 1, No. 17: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Round 2, No. 46: DE Keion White, Georgia Tech
Round 3, No. 76: LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State
Round 4, No. 107: C Jake Andrews, Troy
Round 4, No. 112: K Chad Ryland, Maryland
Round 4, No. 117: OG Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan
Round 5, Pick 144: OG Atonio Mafi, UCLA
Round 6, Pick 187 (from CAR, Stephon Gilmore trade): WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU
Round 6, Pick 192: P Bryce Baringer, Michigan State
Round 6, Pick 210 (Ted Karras comp pick): WR Demario Douglas, Liberty
Round 6, Pick 214: DB Ameer Speed, Michigan State
Round 7, Pick 245 (from ATL, Jonnu Smith trade): DB Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State
Patriots Draft Defensive Back At No. 214
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)
The Patriots continued to sit back and make their picks in the sixth round. At No. 214, they’ve selected Michigan State defensive back Ameer Speed. He has great size at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, and has experience playing both defense and special teams for the Spartans. He’ll have a chance to contribute as a special teamer right away, with the possibility of developing on defense.
Patriots Draft Another Receiver At Pick 210
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)
A double-dip at receiver for the Patriots. They’ve selected Liberty WR Demario Douglas with the 210th pick in the sixth round.
Patriots Draft Punter With 192nd Pick
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 just became the first team since 2000 to draft a kicker and punter in the same year. They went with Michigan State punter Bryce Baringer at pick No. 192. Paired with fourth-round kicker Chad Ryland, the Pats are hoping they’ve shored up their key specialist roles for the long-term in the same draft.
Patriots Draft A Wide Receiver With Sixth-Round Pick
Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (7) in action during the game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Finally, the Patriots address their wide receiver depth chart. Former LSU wideout Kayshon Boutte was better in his first two seasons at LSU than his final year and also had a subpar Combine performance, which hurt his 2023 draft stock. But there’s upside here, based on his performance in 2021-22. We’ll see if Boutte makes any kind of impact as a rookie, but he should have a chance to stick around.
Patriots Take OG Atonio Mafi With 144th Pick
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 07: Ryan Agnew #9 of the San Diego State Aztecs looks to pass as Atonio Mafi #56 of the UCLA Bruins rushes during the first half of a game on September 07, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
The Patriots have used their selection acquired from the Raiders on their second offensive guard of the day. They’re taking UCLA guard Atonio Mafi with the 144th pick, which they got along with pick 214 from the Raiders for pick 135.
Read more about the Patriots’ newest interior offensive lineman.
Patriots Draft OG Sidy Sow With 117th Pick
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Sidy Sow of Eastern Michigan participates in a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Patriots continued to address their offensive line depth charts in the fourth round, selecting guard Sidy Sow out of Eastern Michigan. Read more about the Patriots fourth-round pick.
Patriots Draft Kicker With 112th Pick
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
The Patriots may have just identified their kicker of the future. After trading up to pick 112 from 120, the Patriots are selecting kicker Chad Ryland out of Maryland. Read more about the Patriots’ newest kicker.
Patriots Take C Jake Andrews With 107th Pick
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 05: Jake Andrews of Troy participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 05, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Patriots finally addressed their offensive line with the 107th pick in the fourth round, but it’s not at tackle or even guard, but at center. They’re taking Troy C Jake Andrews.
David Andrews remains the Patriots’ starting center and signed through 2024, but now he may have a backup that shares a surname. The Pats have gone with James Ferentz at backup center in recent seasons, so the new Andrews should provide competition and depth behind the elder Andrews.
Read More On Patriots Third-Round Pick Marte Mapu
Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu (Sacramento State Athletics)
Linebacker/safety hybrid Marte Mapu is generally described as a versatile, “Swiss Army knife” type of player. So, it’s not surprising that he was of interest to Bill Belichick. Read more of what the scouts are saying about the Patriots’ 2023 third-round pick.
Analysis: The Patriots Have Needed A Guy Like Keion White For Years
Georgia Tech DE Keion White in a game against Florida State (Georgia Tech Athletics)
With the selection of defensive end Keion White out of Georgia Tech, the Patriots addressed a spot on the defense that hasn’t seen a big investment in years. That could make a huge difference for the group. Read more on why White is the type of player they’ve needed for a long time.
