Instant reaction to Patriots drafting Christian Gonzalez
Almost universally, the New England Patriots were praised for their Round 1 selection of cornerback Christian Gonzalez at the 2023 NFL Draft. With one temporarily frustrating but eventually fruitful trade back (three spots from 14 to 17), the Pats were able to snag a player many thought was a top-10 talent while grabbing an extra fourth-round draft pick and block the Jets from selecting the player they coveted in Broderick Jones. Score!
But the draft is far from over! And there’s plenty more work to do. The Patriots possess 11 remaining picks to use over the next two days in Kansas City, but just two Day 2 selections: 46th and 74th overall. Trades will likely be made, and undrafted free agents will be invited to audition before it’s all said and done. But in a draft where many evaluators see the best value in the second and third rounds, this is a spot for the Pats to address more needs and take some players who could be solid fits and impact players sooner than later.
Here’s a handy list of players, by position, available for second- and third-round taking that might pique New England’s curiosity and soon be future fits in Foxboro.
QUARTERBACK
Will Levis, Kentucky - So much for the Reddit theory of the Pats trading up to second overall for the QB the Pats spent their final top-30 visit with! All that late “Levis to New England early” buzz was for not. He was invited to attend opening night and watched his draft stock slide out of Round 1, painfully, but has a chance to rebound on night two, and would represent a physically gifted value pick if New England is looking for future alternatives or a challenger to push Mac Jones.
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee - Leader of one of the most dynamite offenses in college football last season, Hooker’s draft stock is hurt by his recovery from an ACL tear late last season. He’s on the mend and will still need time, so he may be a redshirt rookie grab, and is also older (25). But his blend of athleticism and accuracy make him more than just an intriguing prospect.
TIGHT END
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame - Big body, classic style tight end who’s a good blocker and great at the catch point, Mayer was projected to be a first-rounder if not also the first TE off the board, but somehow slipped to the second. If New England is looking for a Hunter Henry clone to groom behind him, then this former All-American would be worth moving up for on Day 2.
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State - Perhaps the most athletic TE and also the one with the most question marks, Musgrave is physically gifted and has the size/speed combo pro teams are dying for at the next level. But he also brings doubts as he never played a full season nor had more than 22 catches or 300 yards in a collegiate season. The ceiling could be very high for the former Beaver, but before you call him “the next Gronk,” the injury concerns might be valid as well.
Darnell Washington, Georgia - When the word “specimen” gets thrown around in football the stock photo should be of the Georgia tight end, who is somewhere between massive and gigantic on the humanity scale. He’s the biggest tight end, looking more like an edge defender or even a slight tackle than a tight end. He never had significant productivity at Georgia, who won back to back national titles, but you can’t teach size and power like his if the Pats are looking to try and groom a legit freak at the position.
Sam LaPorta, Iowa - Solid tight end who can move and block, played against quality competition in the Big 10, where he won tight end of the year in 2022. Comes from a school that is quickly turning into a tight end factory, thanks to the likes of TJ Hockenson and George Kittle in recent years.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State - If New England is looking for the closest thing to a Trent Brown clone, at least physically, then look no further than this 6’8” 375 lb wall of humanity and power from The Ohio State. Still needs some refinement, which is why draft experts had this right tackle as everything from a first- to third-round prospect, but has big game experience at OSU, not to mention second-team All-American honors his senior season.
Cody Mauch, OT, North Dakota State - Experienced small school left tackle who’s as tough as you’d think seeing as he looks the part with long hair and missing front teeth. Another All-American in 2022, he started 15 games and does everything on the line the way you’d want it, the only concern being his arms are a bit short. Otherwise, perfect Patriot alert.
Matthew Bergeron, OT, Syracuse - A native Canadian and well-proportioned ACC tackle who has played both sides, Bergeron is a great run blocker who definitely has Sunday talent and should be drafted in the second round. The only issue, if you’re looking for a tackle, is he might be best suited to play guard in the NFL.
John Michael Schmitz, C, Minnesota - David Andrews remains the Patriots starter at center, but if the team is looking to have insurance beyond journeyman James Ferentz and some second-year players, or is even looking to the future, then this first-team All-Big 10 and All-American in 2022 might be the call. Heady, smart and sharp on the line, Schmitz might not be physically dominant, but neither is Andrews, who has been very successful for the Pats for seven seasons but dinged up a bit in recent years.
O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida - Though the Pats dipped into the guard pool abundantly last year with first rounder Cole Strange and later with Chasen Hines and Kody Russey, it might be hard to pass up a consensus All-American like Torrence, who is massive (6’5”, 330 lbs) and could be insurance behind starter Mike Onwenu, who’s scheduled to be a free agent in 2024.
WIDE RECEIVER
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee - Perhaps the most explosive component to Tennessee’s top-ranked collegiate offense in 2022, Hyatt is plus-level fast and gets open and open quickly. Because of the simplicity of the Vols’ offense he has boom-or-bust potential, though again it’s tough to teach speed and playmaking ability like his. For a team willing to take a chance he could be the next DeSean Jackson, or could he be the next Tavon Austin?
Josh Downs, North Carolina - Described by some as a “poor man’s Zay Flowers”, perhaps one day Downs, an extremely productive and fundamentally sound receiver, also from the ACC, will force people to think of him on the same level, or beyond. A little on the smaller side (5’10”), Downs has good hands, solid technique and a nose for the end zone, leading NFL.com to profile him as a solid starter within two years.
Tank Dell, Houston - They may not come much quicker, twitchier or productive than Nathaniel “Tank” Dell, who had almost 2700 yards, 199 receptions and 27 TDs the last two years at Houston…a place New England is very familiar with grabbing undersized speedsters from (Marcus Jones). If the Pats are looking for someone to get creative with and just find ways to put the ball in the hands of all over the formation, then Dell is the guy.
Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss - The Patriots famously passed up on DK Metcalf and AJ Brown (the latter a Patriots fan growing up) in recent drafts, regretting the opportunity to nail a fast, big bodied receiver from Ole Miss. They may get another chance with Mingo, whose size is on par with the two NFL standouts, has good speed and upped his productivity his senior season. Very much looks the part of an outside NFL receiver.
LINEBACKER/EDGE
Drew Sanders, Arkansas - Potential Perfect Patriot Alert! Sanders is a playmaker who is quick, long and has a nose for the ball. He has the kind of speed you want at the linebacker position now, and also comes with lots of SEC experience having played outside two years at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas in 2022, where he flourished, garnering first-team AP All-American and All-SEC honors, plus was a finalist for the Dick Butkus Award for the nation’s top college linebacker.
BJ Ojulari, LSU - Some may say Ojulari, whose brother Azeez plays for the NY Giants, is undersized for the Pats scheme, and besides - they already have a guy like him in now third-year LB Ronnie Perkins, who has yet to shine. Others will say his technique, skill and motor are worth taking a chance on at the pro level.
SECONDARY
Brian Branch, S/CB, Alabama - In the age of positionless football a defender like Branch, who comes with the SEC defender and national championship pedigree, not to mention the skills to play free safety, slot corner and box safety/LB, are highly desirable. Though the Pats safety room is stocked well even post-McCourty, Branch’s versatility and leadership could be a solid add with Kyle Dugger a pending free agent.
Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State - The Pats may have gone corner with their first pick, but why not double up if a talent like Porter is available? Excellent man coverage corner who has big game experience coming from the Big 10, where he gained terrific experience having to match up against top receivers from Ohio State and Michigan. Also has football in his blood (father Joey Porter Sr. was a terrific linebacker for the Steelers for years).
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