Two hundred and fifty-nine players will hear their names called across three days of the 2023 NFL Draft.
As it stands heading into the opening of action on Thursday night, the Patriots currently hold the ability to tab 11 of those guys to join the New England roster.
Sure there is rightfully plenty of attention being paid to the top of the first round of draft action, with Bill Belichick set to pick at No. 14 overall, higher than he has since he took now-Patriots assistant coach Jerod Mayo at No. 10 overall in 2008.
And make no mistake, what New England does as No. 14 – or with No. 14 as an asset in a possible trade – will play a key factor in how this year’s draft is assessed and what the team’s future holds on the field.
But the rest of the draft can be equally as important or more so. While we all fixated on New England’s selections of Alabama teammates Mac Jones and Christian Barmore in the first two rounds of the 2021 draft, New England’s best pick that weekend was probably fourth-round running back Rhamondre Stevenson.
Plenty of people were dismayed when the Patriots traded down and out of the first round in 2020, but the reality is that second-round picks Kyle Dugger and Josh Uche are top cogs on the New England defense headed for big contracts either in Foxborough or elsewhere.
So, while we will all focus on the top of the first round and Belichick’s decision at No. 14, there will be plenty of hits and misses throughout the three-day draft process.
With that in mind, here is one man’s view of guys that New England should absolutely consider drafting at some point over the next three days, regardless of their projected round, position or current theoretical ranking in media mock drafts.
Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon: With apologies to the feisty, physical Devon Witherspoon, it’s Gonzalez who looks like the type of man corner who could be the mainstay of almost any NFL defense for the next decade. The Patriots very much need a No. 1 corner. Gonzalez fills the bill. Now, Bill just has to figure out a way to try to get him, likely by having to trade up.
Broderick Jones, T, Georgia: Sure, Paris Johnson is alluring. And many in these parts have fallen for Darnell Wright. But Jones is the right guy for the Patriots and their need for a franchise left tackle. He doesn’t have a ton of playing experience, but Jones is super athletic and his best football should be in front of him. He also should very much be in play at or around No. 14.
Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College: After putting up impressive numbers almost by himself in anonymity at The Heights, Flowers has all the tools to be an elite NFL playmaker. Sure, he’s short. But he’s not short on talent or upside. Flowers can work the slot or make plays more down the field. His change-of-direction is game changing. Maybe he’s not worth a pick in the top half of the first round – which is debatable – but any trade down should make Flowers very much an offense-altering option.
Lukas Van Ness, EDGE, Iowa: The Patriots have pretty good talent and depth on the defensive edge…for now. But Uche is set to hit free agency and Matthew Judon turns 31 this summer. Van Ness is a physical, athletic, versatile front seven player with huge upside coming out of FOB (Friend of Belichick) Kirk Ferentz’ program. It’s not hard to envision Van Ness becoming a Pro Bowler, although his first-round status is probably too rich for New England’s needs and wants in a draft that is filled with second-day EDGE players of high value like Notre Dame’s Isaiah Foskey, Georgia Tech’s Keion White and others.
Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State: Let’s get this out of the way, it sure is crazy to think of at 6-1 guy playing NFL defense at 166 pounds. But Forbes is a true All-American ball hawk with who turned six of 14 interceptions into touchdowns. He’s long and can cover. In a less physical NFL, Forbes can play.
Tank Dell, WR, Houston: Though he’s not built anything like a Tank at 5-8, 165, Dell is a jitterbug playmaker coming off consecutive seasons with more than 1,300 yards receiving. How high can a team take a guy who’s short and undersized? That’s the question, but Dell is a certified playmaker with ability in the kicking game that is going to make some team very happy in the middle of draft weekend.
Josh Downs, WR, North Carolina: If the Patriots can’t get Zay Flowers, the next-best option for a slot option is Downs, likely on Day 2. He plays quick and fast. The production is there. He can go get the football and the Patriots can go get the next in their long line of slot playmakers.
Steve Avila, G, TCU: After taking Cole Strange in the first round a year ago, another high pick on a guard might not be great value. But Avila has the makings to be a longtime NFL Pro Bowler with experience, size, athletic feet and a comfortable style of play on the interior. He’s absolutely gonna solidify some team’s line for a decade.
Jake Haener, QB, Fresno State: Assuming the Patriots don’t take a quarterback earlier in the process, Haener would be a great Day 3 value.
If he wasn’t 6-0, he’d probably go much higher. He kinda looks like a poor-man’s Mac Jones and certainly brings the leadership, decision-making and processing that’s needed at the position in the NFL. He’s a developmental backup with upside who’d fit the current depth chart.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa: In case you haven’t noticed, Iowa can produce NFL tight ends and their offense is run by a family with strong ties to Belichick’s Patriots. LaPorta won’t blow anyone away with his game speed or playmaking, but he can get open and catch the ball. He may not be a star, but he certainly looks the part of at least a No. 2 NFL pass catcher at the position and the Patriots could use some future depth at the spot.