Patriots fans are at the point in the season where we are hoping for Miami to lose so we can make the playoffs, which means it’s time for a 2023 mock draft.
Round One: Broderick Jones, UGA OT – Jones is not as dominant a run blocker as some other prospects in this class, but has allowed zero sacks all season. The Patriots have had less reliable offensive line play than in prior seasons, Jones would make everything easier for this struggling passing offense. The Patriots have had success with former Georgia standouts David Andrews and Isaiah Wynn. Paris Johnson Jr. and Peter Skoronski would be great but will likely be gone before the Patriots draft.
Round Two: Mike Morris, Michigan DE – Morris has the size (6’6″, 292) to play inside or outside, something the Patriots have liked in their defenders. Morris has seven sacks for Michigan in 2022. Coach Belichick has favored Michigan defenders in the past. I would love Andre Carter II here but I don’t believe he will be available.
Round Three: JL Skinner, Boise State S – Skinner is a mammoth safety (6’4″, 220), with 4 interceptions in 2022. Belichick has shown with Kyle Dugger how much he likes big safety/linebacker hybrids.
Round Four: Rashee Rice, SMU WR – Rice has real speed and tons of experience playing on the outside. Rice struggled with drops in 2022 with 9 after having only one in 2021.
Round Four: Zach Charbonnet, UCLA RB – Charbonnet has demonstrated he is a capable receiving back and has a stocky build at 220 lbs. The Patriots do not need running backs at all, but they continue to draft running backs anyway.
Round Six: Steven Gilmore, Marshall CB – Gilmore has allowed 42 percent of passes thrown his way to be complete and has allowed one touchdown and three interceptions on the season. Gilmore has a skinny build at 6′ and 170 lbs, which may cause him to drop in the draft. His older brother Stephon was a star corner for the Patriots in his prime.
Round Six: Jerrod Clark, Coastal Carolina DT – Clark has great size (6’4″, 340 lbs) and has been a stalwart run defender for Coastal this season.
The Patriots defense has continued to be stellar, even without early draft picks or Jalen Ramsey-caliber trades. The offense and the passing game hasn’t been this anemic since the Clinton administration. Part of the blame goes to unsteady offensive line play, part of the blame goes to the uncreative, conservative play-calling of Matt Patricia(?), and a chunk of the blame has to go the the man under center. We saw in 2021 with the signing of Nelson Agholor, Kendrick Bourne, Hunter Henry, and Jonnu Smith that simply spending a lot of money on offensive skill players isn’t enough fix a damaged offense. It would appear that Bill Belichick needs to find a bona fide, suitable offensive play caller and get the offensive line running better, whether that’s through the draft or free agency. Bourne, Agholor, and Smith should all contribute more meaningfully if the blocking improves and the play calling improves.
Song of the post – “Ghosts” by Mike Shinoda
Gridiron Seasonal 