New England Patriots complete 7-round 2023 NFL mock draft
The New England Patriots have made some nice additions to the roster this off-season. Players like Mike Gesicki, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Riley Reiff will certainly make an impact on an offense that needs some help. However, the success of this off-season will primarily come down to how the Patriots attack the 2023 NFL Draft.
In this 2023 NFL mock draft, we are going to step into the shoes of Bill Belichick and take full control of the New England Patriots. What do the Pats need to do to make the upcoming draft a success? Let’s find out.
A complete seven-round 2023 NFL mock draft focusing on the New England Patriots.
Round 1, 18th overall: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
The first 13 picks fell nicely for the Patriots in this 2023 NFL mock draft, setting the team up well for a trade-down scenario. Here, the Pats trade down four spots with the Detroit Lions, picking up a second-round pick in the 2024 draft for their troubles. After making the quick trade down the board, the New England Patriots select offensive tackle Dawand Jones in the first round of this 2023 NFL mock draft.
Offensive tackle stands out as an obvious need for this team. Trent Brown has one offensive tackle position locked up but he will hit free agency following the 2023 season. Some combination of Reiff, Calvin Anderson, Conor McDermott, and Yodny Cajuste is currently expected to fill the other tackle spot, but there is certainly some room for improvement.
Short-term, offensive tackle is a position of need. Long-term, the position is a black hole for the New England Patriots as we head into the upcoming draft.
At 6-foot-8, 374 pounds, Jones is a massive human being who is typically dominant in the run game. Jones’ raw power up front is incredibly impressive. He is a straight mauler who will continue to open up rushing lanes at the next level.
While Jones does move well for a man of his size, his overall movement ability is lacking at the offensive tackle position. The Ohio State product can be slow off of the ball and will lose against raw speed around the edge. That being said, his upside as an offensive tackle at the next level is absolutely massive. If the New England Patriots get Jones in the building, they should attempt to get him to shed some weight, increasing his mobility up front.