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MORSE: Final Patriots 7 Round Mock Draft, Draft Contest

Mark Morse
Mark Morse on Twitter
April 25, 2023 at 9:35 am ET

MORSE: Final Patriots 7 Round Mock Draft, Draft Contest(PHOTO: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports)

🕑 Read Time: 10 minutes

It is finally Draft Week and the Patriots Draft brain trust is up against the fence to deliver a quality 2023 Draft.  The pressure is on.  Which way will they go?

This draft is how I think the draft will go according to the Patriots and the way that Bill Belichick drafts, moving up and down the board to get the players they want.

I am using PFF Mock Draft Simulator and the Trade Chart provided by Drafttek.  Any trade must fit the Trade Chart.

Under Matt Groh, I think the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) is a metric the Patriots draft staff is in love with.  That is why you will see the RAS score on each of the players.

Patriots Team Needs 

OT, CB, WR, TE, EDGE, QB

These are in no particular order, but as you will see, the draft will dictate what players are available.  The depth of draftable players is also important.  Remember the Patriots Draft Board is only about 75 players.  They also have a list of players they want to sign as Un Drafted Free Agents.

Pick 14  

I see the Patriots going in any of 4 ways with this pick.

  • A top CB falls in their lap. Christian Gonzalez, Devon Witherspoon, and Joey Porter are the top three.  Deonte Banks from Maryland has a superior RAS score (10) and is just behind them.
  • A top OT falls in their lap. Remember that the Patriots have never drafted an O-lineman in the top 50 that hasn’t started 25 games in college.  Peter Skronski from Northwestern has started 33 but he goes #11 to the Titans.  One of the OTs that meets that requirement and is worthy of being picked #14 is Darnell Wright from Tennessee.
  • No WR is worth taking at #14. Scouts are down on this class of receivers.  Fan favorite Zay Flowers seems to be slipping into the late 1st early 2nd round area.  Matt Groh’s words this week are why I don’t think the Patriots will use a 1st round pick on a WR.
  • Trade Down – I know Bill Belichick loves to frustrate the fanbase with his trades out of the 1st

If they have to pick at #14 and Wright is available the pick will be the OT from Tennessee.  However, the Green Bay / NY Jets Aaron Rodger trade has thrown a big monkey wrench into the draft.  The two teams have swapped places in the 1st round, surrounding the Patriots’ pick at #14.  The Jets were possibly going to take an O lineman.  The Packers are more likely to take a WR or Edge defender.  There were 6 offers to trade as Green Bay took Edge player Tyree Wilson in front of the Patriots.  Tackles Paris Johnson, Broderick Jones and Darnell Wright are all still available.

And the pick is in …

Pick 14 TRADE to LAC for pick #21 and #54 (Draft Trade Chart NE 1100 LAC 1160)

Pick 21 Darnell Wright OT Tennessee – RAS 9.68, 4 Sr, Ht 6053, Wt 333 lbs, 5.01 40, 1.75 20, Arm 33 3/4, Hand 9, Wing 82”, Age 21.69

The Patriots get their man 7 slots later and pick up a 2nd round pick.  Wright is a legit 4-year starter in the SEC.  He appeared in 47 games and started 43.  He is a large framed blocker and is described as having controlled violence when he unleashes his blocks.  Heavy punch and arm extension which doesn’t allow defenders into his body.  Decreased his penalties from 10 in 2021 to just two in 2022.  His heavy hands displace the defenders.  SEC Freshman Team and the made 1st Team All-Conference as a Senior.  He has 23 starts at RT, 13 at LT (2022), and 2 at RG.  The two penalties in 2022 were for holding and the other was a false start.   He is a player that will be the cornerstone of the O-line for years to come.

Pick #31 KC TRADE picks #31 and #63 to NE for #46 and 54 (Draft Trade Chart NE 800 KC 860)

Pick #31 Jahmyr Gibbs RB Alabama – RAS INC, Ht 5091, Wt 199 lbs, Arm 30 ½, Hand 9 ¼,  Wing 74 1/8, 40  4.36, 20  2.52,  10 1.51, VJ 33 1/2 – – – – (no broad, shuttle, 3-cone, bench – choice)

This is a Bill O’Brien selection.  He was banging the table to get this guy.  Gibbs originally signed to attend Georgia Tech and played two seasons there.  He was a Freshman All –American running for 403 yards and catching 24 passes out of the backfield for another 303 yards.  In 2020 he played in 7 games and started 6.  In 2021 he was ACC 1st team with 746 rushing and 470 receiving. He entered the transfer portal at the end of the 2020 season and hooked on with Alabama.  He was second-team All-American and 2nd-team All-SEC with 926 yards rushing and 444 receiving yards.  He had 44 catches in the 12 games (11 starts).  He is a gifted receiver out of the backfield.  Some have been calling him a slot RB as he lined up in the slot or out wide on 26.4% of his pass plays.  Immediately he contributes as a 3rd down back.   Dane Brugler in his The Beast draft guide (The Athletic $) describes Gibbs as “Quick as a hiccup and makes impressive full-speed cuts”.  Lateral agility and one-step acceleration make him a nightmare for open-field defenders.  Gibbs understands protections and hot reads to play on any down.  He was described as a humble competitor and not an attention seeker.  His 6.1 Yards Per Carry in 2022 was 3rd in SEC.  At 5’9” 199 lb size is his only drawback.  He has some trouble with pass protection just because he doesn’t have enough sand in his pants to re-direct rushers.

Another bonus is that the Patriots would get Gibbs in the 1st round and have the option for 5th year under his rookie contract.  Funny, the more I write about Gibbs the more I think they would be a perfect team to take him!

Pick #63  Jonathan Mingo WR Mississippi – RAS 9.86 4 SR, Ht 6016, Wt 220 lbs, 40  4.46 (4.37 HH),  20 2.56, 10 1.52, Vert 39 ½, BJ 10’9”, BP 22, 3-cone 7.04, Arm 32 1/8, Hand 10 3/8, Wing 75 ¾, Age 22.02 Largest Hand size of all receivers.

The Patriots select Mingo higher than he is projected as the #12 WR and 3rd round projection.  They want him and they take him earlier as has been their Modus Operandi in past drafts (Cole Strange).  Has played in 41 games with 39 starts over his 4 years.  Missed 7 games in 2021 with a stress fracture in his left foot.  A team Captain in 2022, he had 51 receptions for 861 yards and 5 TDs.  He was 2nd team All-SEC.  Uses his size and strength to outmuscle defenders.  Uses body position to seal off DBs and makes several one-handed catches.  His coach Lane Kiffin described him as an egoless player who never complains about catches or playing time.  Needs to work on his blocking as he was described as half-hearted about blocking.   He doesn’t use his natural size and grabs too much (three holding calls in 2022).

Pick #76 Tyler Steen OT Alabama – RAS 9.46 (4th OT) 5 SR, Ht 6060, Wt 321, 40 DNP Arm 32 ¾, Hand 10 ½, Wing 80 ½, Age 22.84

Steen may be the steal of the draft.  He started as a freshman at Vanderbilt manning the LT position.  He was a 4-year starter in the SEC (3 at Vandy and 1 at Alabama).  Another player that Bill O’Brien is very familiar with as an opponent at Vanderbilt and then as a 5th year Grad starter at LT at Alabama.  Steen made 2nd Team All-SEC at Alabama.  His arm length is a little short but that has never stopped the Patriots from putting players at LT (Matt Light).  Has initial quickness for a man his size to scoop, reach and seal, and pays close attention to his angles in run blocking.  If he gets his massive hands on the Defender, he locks on like a crocodile death grip.  That also gets him in trouble as he had 5 holding penalties in 2022.  He has 50 Games Played and 46 Starts in the SEC.

Pick #96 Trade ARI trades #96 to NE for #107 and #135 (Draft Trade Chart NE 112.5 ARI 110)

Pick #96 Corey Trice  CB Purdue – RAS 9.78 (5th) 5 SR Ht 6033, Wt 206 Lbs, 40 4.47, 20 2.65, 10 1.58, VJ 35 1/2 , BJ 11’, BP 17,  Arm 32 3/8, Hand 9 ¾, Wing 77, SS 4.06, 3-Cone 6.70, Age 22.91

Dane Brugler has him ranked as the #14 CB and #88 overall, a solid 3rd round selection.  He is still on the board and the Patriots have not taken a CB yet.  He is a big CB at 6’3” and is tough in man press coverage.  He has the makeup speed and the quick turn change of direction as evidenced by his 6.70 3-cone drill.  A 5th-year player that had 35 GP and 26 starts.  Missed all but two games in 2021.  Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2022.  Strong in run support with big hands, size, and strength to ward off blockers.  Had 12 passes defended in 2022.  Evidence of his closing speed and change of direction to be an effective and disruptive cover corner.   Started as an S and moved to CB after freshman year.

Pick #117 Charlie Jones WR Purdue – RAS 6.89 6 SR Ht 5113, Wt 175, 40 4.43, 20 2.55, 10 1.54, VJ 36 ½, BJ 10’ 4”, Arm 31 5/8, Hand 9, Wing 74, SS 4.15, 3-cone 6.84, Age 24.49

Patriots take back-to-back Boilermakers.  I am taking Jones for one reason and one reason only.  In the Big Ten matchup against Penn State and their highly touted shutdown CB Joey Porter (1st Round pick) Jones had 5 catches for 150 yards.  The Patriots need a true slot receiver and that is exactly what Jones is.  Jones is light and his RAS grade reflects that.  His journey began at Buffalo where he red-shirted in 2017 and played in 14 games and 2 starts in 2018.  He transferred to Iowa as a walk-on in 2019 but had to sit out a year per NCAA rules.  Played in 4 games in 2020 and made 2nd team All-Big Ten as a Punt Returner.  He earned a scholarship.  Led Big Ten in Punt Returns and was Specialist of the Year.  Had 635 kick-off return yards leading the Big Ten.  Led FBS in a number of Punt Returns.  Transfer Protocol led him to Purdue in 2022.   Led FBS in the number of receptions (110) and had 1361 receiving yards in his only season as a starting receiver (13 games).  Jones was 2nd team All-American and 1st Team All-Big Ten.

Jones is explosive off the line with “see-ya” speed according to Dane Brugler in the Beast Draft Guide.  Despite his small hands, he had only three drops in 154 targets.  He puts his head down and works, that preparation is evident on game day.  Would immediately become the team KO return man and back up to Marcus Jones in Punt Returns.  Only 1 year of experience at WR.

Pick #184 Sterling Thomas V CB University of Alabama Birmingham – RAS  N/A, 5 SR Ht 6’, Wt 194, 40 4.38, 20  , 10 1.59, VJ 37.5, BJ 10’05, Hand 9 ¾, Arm 30 3/8 , Wing 74 3/8, SS 4.36, 3-Cone 7.29, BP 14

At this point of the draft, the number of players left on the Patriots draft board is few.  They may actually be taking players that they considered as priority UDFAs.  Instead of having to compete for them, they are just drafting them.  Sterling Thomas V may be one of those players.  The Patriots had him at the East-West shrine game on their team.  Any DB that can run a 4.38 is worth taking a look at.  If for no other reason than to have him on the Practice Squad and see if he can develop.

Thomas redshirted in 2020 recovering from a torn ACL.  He played in 52 games and started 42 of those in his 5 years.  He was Honorable Mention All-CUSA in 2021 and 1st Team All-CUSA in 2022.  Led the team with 15 Pass Deflections.  No one questions his toughness as he played through a torn CL in the last 7 games of the 2019 season.  Excellent in support of the run and is always around the ball in the secondary.  Poor 3-cone time has me concerned about his ability to change direction, but he has tremendous makeup speed.  He is also penalty prone with 22 over the last three seasons.  Most of that has to do with tracking the ball and not knowing where he is in relation to the man he is covering.

Pick #187 Jerrod Clark DT Coastal Carolina – RAS 5.26, 5 SR, HT 6035, Wt 334, 40 5.25, 20 3.02, 10 1.77, Arm 33 ¾, Hand 9 ¾, Wing 82, Age 23.45 didn’t BP

Clark was impressive at the Senior Bowl practices.   He is a road grader at 334 Lbs and strictly a 2 down player.   A local kid (Dorchester) that the Patriots had him in as one of their allowed local visits.  Played in 38 games for Coastal Carolina and started 35.  Third team All-SBC and a team captain.  Patriots give extra points in their evaluations if a player is a Captain.  This is why the Patriots maintain leadership from year to year as key veterans leave/retire they have others with leadership experience stepping up.

Clatk had 105 Tackles, 18 Tackles For Loss, and 7.5 sacks over three years.  His experience as a TE and Basketball Power Forward has helped him stack the line of scrimmage.  Nose Tackle that eats up space.

Pick #192 Jason Taylor S Oklahoma State – RAS 9.22, 5 SR, Ht 5115, Wt 204, 40 4.50, 20 2.55, 10 1.49, VJ 43, BJ 10’ 9”, SS 4.20, 3-Cone 7.16, Arm 32 10, Wing 78 ¼, BP 14 Age  23.33  12th ranked S by Dane Brugler with 4th/5th round grade.

Another player that took advantage of an extra year due to COVID.  This resulted in Taylor playing in 54 games and starting 27.  Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2021 and 1st team All-Big 12 in 2020.  Taylor is well built with good length for his size.  His Vertical Jump was 2nd amongst all participants at the combine.  Above average instincts from either the box or post.  Anticipates well and trusts his vision decisively breaks on crossers/ in cuts.  Didn’t commit a single penalty while playing in college.  Had 19 passes deflected and 8 INTs over the last two seasons.  Offers a ton of experience on Special Teams (536 snaps).

Pick # 210 Stetson Bennett QB Georgia – RAS 8.19 (5th), 6 SR Ht 5113, Wt 192, 40 4.67, 20 2.65, 10 1.58, SS 4.20, Arm 28 7/8, Hand 10, Wing 72, Age 25.50

Bennett has led Georgia to consecutive National Championships.  Despite his short stature being under 6’ tall, he has all those intangibles you want in a player.   He is a modern-day Doug Flutie.  You just can’t measure heart … ask all those teams that passed on Tom Brady.

Average arm but can make those sideline throws because of great mechanics and short arm quickness.  Anticipates and makes his throws before the receivers are out of their breaks.  Has a knack (like Flutie) of finding those clear sightlines to throw.  Throws well on the run.  One of 12 FBS QBs to rush for more than 10 TDs.  He is a self-starter, Coach Kirby Smart had this to say about Bennett “he didn’t cry, pout leave or transfer.  He just kept working and working and when he got the opportunity, he took advantage of it”.   Bennett took a preferred walk-on position and earned a scholarship.  In 2020 he took home the Burlsworth Trophy for the best player in D1 that was originally a walk-on.  If you haven’t seen the movie “Greater” the Brandon Burlsworth Story, I highly recommend it.

Bennet finished his college career at Georgia in the top 5 in school history in completions (601), passing yards (8,428), and TD passes (66).   He finished with a 29-3 record as a starter.  National Championship Offensive MVP 2 consecutive years (21 and 22), 2nd Team All-SEC.    This guy deserves a chance and he might be just a camp arm or Practice Squad insurance.

Pick #245 Jake Witt OT Northern Michigan – RAS 9.8, his RAS score is 27th out of 1293 that have been tested since 1987. 5 SR 40 4.89, 20 2.76, 10 1.71, VJ 37, BJ 10.03’, SS 4.62, 3-cone 7.44, Arm 33 ½, Wing 80 5/8, Age 23.22

This guy has come out of nowhere and is just now showing up on draft boards.  When you have that kind of athleticism you definitely get a look-see.  He played for D II Northern Michigan and has only one year at Left Tackle.  He was a backup TE until injuries devastated the O-line.   At halftime, he had a few reps with the coaches and he was thrown in at RT.  He started here in the last two games of the season.   According to a Dane Brugler Tweet, Witt has had 6, 30 visits, two private workouts, and a virtual meeting with the Jets.  “He will be a draft pick,” says Brugler.  He has gained 20 lbs this year and has the frame to add more once he gets into a Pro program.  This is the kind of guy you take flyer on at the end of the draft, like Julian Edelman.  At the very least you keep him on the team as a blocking 3rd TE and let him develop.

Witt started his college career as a Basketball player at Michigan Tech.  Transferred to Northern Michigan for a switch of major but didn’t play any sports in 2019.  Joined the football team in the Spring of 2019 but the season was canceled due to COVID.  In 2021 played in 11 games (9 as backup TE, 2 as starting RT).   Started all 11 games as LT in 2022.  Outstanding Pro Day at Central Michigan.  Above average lateral agility.  Added 40 pounds of weight over the last 18 months.  Tested well by NFL scouts and exhibits the processing skills of a quick learner … coach describes him as super humble.  He is a draft and stash player right now with a high ceiling.  What could new O-line coach Adrian Klemm do with this mound of clay?

There you have it, my attempt at throwing darts up against the wall.  Let’s see if I get any of these correct.  I usually get at least one correct.  Last year it was Marcus Jones.

Bama Draft Contest

In the draft Forum, I am conducting a simple Draft Contest.  Make a list of players in the order you think they will be taken 1-31 (with the Dolphins forfeiting their 1st round pick blank at what would have been pick  21) .  See the rules in the Draft Forum https://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/threads/new-bama-draft-contest.1160676/#post-6574579.

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About Mark Morse

Merrimack Valley native and lifelong fan of the New England Patriots. My earliest memories of the Patriots were attending as a child with my dad, the off-season practice at Phillips Academy. I was at the Patriots game at Harvard Stadium in 1970 where Bob “Harpo” Gladieux was called out of the stands by the stadium announcer over the PA to play in the game. Analyzing the draft since ESPN first started to televise it in 1980 and former writer for the Lowell Sun Newspaper.


Posted Under: 2023 Patriots Mock Drafts
Tags: 2023 Patriots Draft 2023 Patriots Mock Draft

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    Michael P. McGrath
    Michael P. McGrath
    11 months ago

    Some nice maneuvering and nice picks. Surprised no TE unless I missed it. The more I think about it getting one of the top TE is more important to the O and the future than getting a second or third tier WR. The TE can open up so much of the field and what a bonus if he also can block. Mismatches and disguise. Something this team badly needs. Along with elite talent any and everywhere.

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