Patriots mock draft roundup – final predictions from experts
We are just one day out from the start of the 2023 NFL draft, with the Patriots needing to make a big decision for their first-round pick.
For the last few months, experts have been sharing their predictions of who they think each team in the league will draft, which have been all over the board for the Patriots. Now that we’re just mere hours away from the first round, here is a roundup of the last predictions from experts nationwide.
To stay up to date with all the latest Patriots draft news, bookmark this page as it will be updated throughout the week.
-Peter King on Pro Football Talk
Pick Analysis. Peter Skoronski. 47. Scouting Report. OT. Northwestern. 14. player
"“Skoronski could be a plug-and-play guard wherever he goes. I considered him for the Eagles, replacing the departed Isaac Seumalo. Skoronski started 33 games at left tackle for Northwestern and was a unanimous first-team all-American. But his arm length is about three inches short for ideal NFL tackle size, so the Patriots could move him inside. If I’m New England, I’m thrilled Skoronski lasted this long, and I grab him to start a decade for the franchise somewhere on the line.”"
-Bucky Brooks of NFL.com
Pick Analysis. RB. 14. player. Scouting Report. Bijan Robinson. 47. Texas
"“Bill Belichick zigs while the rest of the league zags, taking a running back in the first round. Robinson gives the Patriots an elite RB1 in the backfield to anchor the offense and alleviate some pressure on Mac Jones to carry the unit. “"
-Chad Graff of The Athletic
47. Pick Analysis. OT. Georgia. 14. Scouting Report. Broderick Jones. player
"“The closer we get to draft day, the more I think the Pats will seriously entertain trading down. But if they make the pick, I think Jones is the most likely option at this juncture. Offensive linemen Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski will probably be gone by the time the 14th pick rolls around. Same for corners Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon. So in that case, I’ve got the Pats taking Jones, who is one of the most interesting prospects expected to go in the first round. On the one hand, he’s coming from a place that has produced a ton of NFL left tackles, and he played really well last season. On the other hand, he’s played fewer snaps than any other tackle in this draft class. I think the Patriots would be OK with that since they signed Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson, options at tackle in case Jones isn’t ready to start from the get-go. They could look at Jones as a project who could turn into one of the best players in this draft class.”"
-Garrett Podell of CBS Sports
14. 47. Scouting Report. Oregon. Christian Gonzalez. Pick Analysis. CB. player
"“Christian Gonzalez has tremendous size and speed for the cornerback position at 6-foot-1, 197 pounds while possessing a 4.38 40-yard dash, 41.5-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1 broad jump. Bill Belichick can’t resist pulling the trigger on upgrading his defense here.”"
-Analyst team at PFF.com
47. Scouting Report. CB. 14. player. Pick Analysis. Penn State. Joey Porter Jr.
"“As far as team-player fits go, there aren’t too many better than Porter to New England. The Patriots ask their cornerbacks to play a lot of press man, something the Penn State product specializes in.”"
-Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports
Pick Analysis. Tennessee. player. 47. Scouting Report. OT. Darnell Wright. 14
"“We would’ve considered Bijan Robinson here had the Eagles not already taken him. Instead, the Pats help Mac Jones by bolstering the offensive line. Wright had Day 3 grades coming into the 2022 season and was dominant for the Vols once he moved to the right side. And he capped that off with a strong Senior Bowl week and pre-draft process. Don’t be surprised if he makes his way into the middle of Round 1.”"
-Jason McIntyre of Fox Sports
47. Scouting Report. Jaxon Smith-Njigba. 14. player. Pick Analysis. WR. Ohio State
"“For all the whiffs by Bill Belichick at receiver in the draft, JSN is a safe option very unlikely not to perform.”"
-Jaime Eisner of The Draft Network
Texas. Bijan Robinson. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 47. RB. 14. player
"“Finding a landing spot for Bijan Robinson isn’t as easy as you’d think it would be for a player of his caliber. He’s in play for the Falcons at No. 8—and I almost put him there—but I’m not convinced the Falcons will pass up a defensive player with that pick. So what about the Patriots? There’s rumored interest and Bill Belichick is kind of an old-school guy who sticks to his grades no matter what. With so few projected first-round-graded players, it’s quite possible Robinson will be the top player on the board when New England is on the clock.”"