3 ways the Patriots 2023 season could have gone differently
By Matt Sidney
Not addressing skill position talent in the 2023 NFL draft
Sixth-round picks Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas were the only skill position talent the Patriots drafted in the 2023 NFL draft. Douglas would lead the Pats in receiving this year with a measly 561 yards, but overall, woof.
Looking back at the 2023 NFL draft, many opportunities were missed to draft skill-position talent to upgrade the roster. Second-round wide receivers Marvin Mims Jr., Rashee Rice, and Jalin Hyatt were available when the Pats drafted Keion White. Puka Nacua was available in the fifth round when the Patriots selected Atonio Mafi.
Zach Charbonnet was available in the second round. De'Von Achane was available in the third. The misses are tough to ignore. Instead, the Patriots opted for every offensive guard coming out of a group-of-five conference. It's honestly laughable.
The Patriots could have added much-needed skill position talent to a group that was significantly devoid of it. Maybe Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe could stand a chance at a half-decent season if their supporting cast wasn't so uninspiring. Or perhaps another quarterback could have reaped the rewards of better skill position talent... which leads us to the last way things could have gone differently this season.