If the New England Patriots want to select the top offensive lineman in the 2023 NFL Draft, they might need to move up the board to grab him.

That’s what the Patriots do in Dane Brugler of The Athletic’s latest mock draft, which has New England trading up from No. 14 overall to No. 10 by packaging the No. 76 overall pick and a 2024 fifth-round selection. Brugler has the Patriots taking Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronski.

Here’s what Brugler wrote:

“With multiple tackle-needy teams in front of the Patriots, they jump up a few spots here to get Skoronski. 

"As an organization, New England has never been tied down by size limitations, so Skoronski’s shorter arms shouldn’t be a roadblock. He is the top offensive lineman in this class and could be Bill Belichick’s new Matt Light. Regardless, his position versatility would give the Patriots options as they try to field their five best blockers.”

Skoronski was the Wildcats’ starting left tackle for the past three seasons. New England should be looking for a starting offensive tackle with Isaiah Wynn heading for free agency and Trent Brown, Conor McDermott and Andrew Stueber on the active roster.

Brown can start at left or right tackle, and he’s played both positions for New England. He started at left tackle in 2018 and 2022 and on the right side in 2021.

Skoronski is 6-foot-4, 313 pounds with 32 1/4-inch arms. He ran a 5.16-second 40-yard dash with a 1.75-second 10-yard split, 34.5-inch vertical leap, 9-feet, 7-inch broad jump and 7.80-second 3-cone at the NFL Scouting Combine with 30 bench press reps of 225 pounds.

Wynn is small for an offensive tackle at 6-3, 313 pounds, but he actually has longer arms than Skoronski at 33 3/8” inches.

The Patriots don’t have a major need at guard with 2022 first-round pick Cole Strange at left guard and MIchael Onwenu at right guard. Onwenu does have the versatility to switch to right tackle, but New England has been hesitant to make that a full-time switch.

Brown, Wynn and Strange were weak spots on Patriots offensive line coached by Matt Patricia last season. New England hired Adrian Klemm to take over coaching the offensive line this offseason.

Ideally, since Brown will be a free agent after the 2023 season, New England would be looking for a franchise cornerstone at left tackle.

Featured image via Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports