2023 Patriots Mock Draft (7 Rounds)

All 7 Rounds, no trades, and with the roster currently as is. With some options to boot.

Hey guys AJ Torres again from Simple Minds Sports. I’ve been thinking about it hard and I caved to buy few memberships to get some information on prospects and give everyone the best 7 Round mock draft. It’s always hard with these because you have to account for 31 other teams. And 30 in the first round because the Dolphins are a fugazy.

Nonetheless, let’s get it.

Just a side note some will have options and it is pick and choose.

Round 1 - 14th Overall - Lukas Van Ness - Edge - Iowa

I really thought about safety to replace McCourty. But there are safeties available later. You can never have enough pass rush. Personally I think Judon won’t be going anywhere, but he and Wise are having 30 approach. I’m knocking anyone here. But there have been many dominant forces suffer the injury bug when 30 came around. Von Miller, JJ Watt, and others.

Option 2 – Brian Branch – Safety – Alabama

Word to the wise it depends on who you like between him and the next pick. It goes by which guy you like and taking the best guy available. They say with a little strength building he will be the best safety in the draft.

Option 3 - To be fair, some teams might reach for O-Line. Would not be opposed or surprised if Belichick wouldn’t pick an offensive tackle of his choice. And this time, not reaching two rounds ahead to get him.

Round 2 - 46th Overall - Antonio Johnson - Safety - Texas A&M

Keep in mind this pick is pending if they trade for DeAndre Hopkins. Could it happen? Yes. Will it? Well, I have my doubts.

The Patriots currently have seven safeties on the roster at the moment. Three of them are ranked.

Kyle Dugger – 11th of 88

Jabrill Peppers – 16th of 88

Adrian Philips – 20th of 88

There’s four more just taking up space. Only one has a PFF grade and its 33.9 of 100.

Yeah. McCourty will be missed. Even if guys are rotated for rest, formation shifts, and the works you need to have quality guys out there. Doesn’t matter if it’s Zach Wilson out there or Josh Allen with five receivers at the line of scrimmage.

Option 2 – Nathaniel Dell -WR - Houston

Now when I see a 5’8” 165-pound wide receiver I have many concerns. But this isn’t the first round. PFF gives Dell a 89.6 grade in man coverage. That has got to be useful in some regard. As far as the Patriots receiving core I will say until I am blue in the face they do not have a WR1. But, Parker and Juju can be a solid WR2 on any team. If Mac can spread the ball around, he can have receivers he can trust. Once O-Brien and Mac are on the same page it can and will work. Adding a guy who’s fast in man coverage? Speed and separation. Next.

Round 3 - 76th Overall - Andre Carter II - OLB/DE - Army

This is a Belichick type pick. Add to the pass rush room a guy who is 6’6” and 256 pounds. The only thing that held him back is there are reports that he couldn’t train all year round due to Army duties. With this talent finally able to dial in and get to work, there is a high ceiling. And we have seen so many guys past college get into better shape. He’s in a good system to reach it.

From here on out it is very hard to grasp. Everyone in the world will have a different list and this comes to head coach and general manager preference along with helping develop talent. This is what are called the “bread and butter” picks.

Keep in mind Option 2 for these 4th Round picks are wide receiver. That also depends on your first and second round picks as well.

Round 4 - 107th Overall - Moro Ojomo - DI - Texas

At 6’3” 292 pounds and going to be turning 22 years old when the season starts. His senior year scoring a 90.6 overall grade from PFF. This is him being the defensive end in a 3-4 defense. They say even for that size, he is a pure pass rusher. DI outside Christian Barmore is thin.

Round 4 - 117th Overall - Kobie Turner - DI - Wake Forest

Another player just about the same height and weight as the last pick and at the same position. This is a fun project pick. Was a redshirt senior for the Richmond Spiders and was a fifth year senior at Wake Forest. But, his last three seasons PFF ranked him 90.8, 88.1, and 92.2. Now whether you believe in Pro Football Focus or not is all personal preference. Even myself being someone who likes the data and stats, they aren’t everything.

I just find it odd how someone ranks so high and transferred his last year. But no matter what he played in a D1 program his whole NCAA career and that can’t be knocked. Is this the sort of project Bill Belichick likes? Maybe. And it could work with the D-Line needing shaping up. Why back-to-back DI? Because the current guys are getting old and just aren’t great. If you prefer Carl Davis, Davon Godchaux, and Lawrence Guy getting old then be my guest.

Round 4 - 135th Overall - Ronnie Hickman - Safety - Ohio State

To my surprise, a Ohio State prospect was hard to get research on. Pending your pick in round one and two, this is the move. Hickman was put in the box mostly playing 408 coverage snaps and 341 run defense snaps. His coverage grade via PFF is 88.9. In 13 games zero touchdowns allowed on 13 catches from 30 targets. At 6’0” and 200-pounds he’s ready to get into the Belichick defense. It’s unknown what kind of single defender he will be. But that’s where coaching comes in.

From here it got hard. Defensive guys that lack strength, some with low IQ (Belichick won’t tolerate guys with IQ in question), QBs in which I don’t know if that’s the move if there can be a better hole to fill, and the positions of Edge and WR will suffice currently if you go off of the roster and picks made so far.

Round 6 - 184th Overall - Luka Haggard - Offensive Tackle - Indiana

The offensive tackles signed right now aren’t exactly young. And for depth purposes, why not give a D1 6’7” 305-pound monster of a man a shot late in the draft? Would he rank higher if he went to a better school? And can he by any chance play interior line if needed? Can’t hurt to try.

Round 6 - 187th Overall - Eric Gray - Running Back - Oklahoma

I can’t believe I am going RB here. But going by position and best on the list. One thing the Patriots are known for is receiving backs. He has receiving skills and the ability to create space. He lacks power, but that is why there is the depth chart. Can he be that James White kind of guy?

Round 6 - 192nd Overall - Atonio Mafi - Guard - UCLA

Another depth chart move. 910 snaps only 3 sacks, 2 QB hits, and 13 hurries allowed. Enough said for a pick this late. 6’4” and at 330-340 pounds range might be a little too big, but he’s got reason to condition now.

Round 7 - 210th Overall - Best QB Available

There needs to be three QB’s on the roster. Not saying Bennett will be available or not. Could also be Clayton Tune or Malik Cunningham. Instead of an old free agent, keep a guy around for a while to turn. Not saying this is to replace Mac or give Zappe a little edge to fight more.

And that, is it. Do you agree? Disagree? Someone you like that I should look into and maybe make a 2.0 version of this? Comment below. We’ll see. And who knows. A trade might happen and I got to hit the books again. Let’s have the best of luck.