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The 2022 season is almost at its end one way or another, which means it’s time to start thinking about how the Patriots will improve their roster for next season.
Especially on offense, the talent around Mac Jones could use an upgrade, whether you’re talking about wide receiver or the offensive line.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid thinks the Patriots will focus on the shoring things up in the trenches to help keep Jones upright by drafting big Georgia tackle Broderick Jones. (That’s right: another Jones.)
“The Pats' offensive tackle situation has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play, and Isaiah Wynn is scheduled to become a free agent in the offseason,” Reid wrote in his first mock draft of the year. “After only starting four games before this season, Jones has solidified himself as one of the best offensive lineman prospects in this class, allowing zero sacks so far. He's only a redshirt sophomore, but I see Jones as the most mobile of the linemen available. His combination of foot quickness as a pass protector and strength as a run blocker have helped him unlock the next stage of his development, and he'd provide Bill Belichick with a young option to build around at left tackle.”
Drafting Broderick Jones or another tackle (depending on the draft position they end up with) would address arguably the team’s most pressing offensive need (aside from adding an elite receiver).
But while the talent is clear, the thing that might make the Patriots iffy in Jones, though, is experience.
Not only is Jones a redshirt sophomore with just three college seasons under his belt with only two full seasons on the field, but 2022 is really the 24-year-old’s only season as a full-time starter.
That said, he is an older prospect at age 24, which Bill Belichick and the Patriots have something of a soft spot for, and may be more physically mature than a younger prospect might be. (Cole Strange was 24 when he was drafted last year.)
Additionally, New England’s tackle position is far from locked in for 2023. Trent Brown is under contract for next season, but the team could easily move on from him if they’re dissatisfied with his performance this season. The right tackle spot, meanwhile, is about to be completely wide open with Wynn almost assured to hit free agency and no particularly good options on the right side behind him.
As much as the Patriots need better receivers and should focus on getting them one way or another next season, it’d be hard to argue with taking a tackle with the team’s first pick this coming April. Whether Jones would really be a fit here remains to be seen.
