Patriots Day 2 Mock Draft: Trading up for versatile pass-catcher
The New England Patriots should be feeling very good about how the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft transpired after they were able to trade down, pick up an extra fourth-round pick and still take a talented player in Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez was seen as a consensus top-10 pick prior to the […]
The New England Patriots should be feeling very good about how the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft transpired after they were able to trade down, pick up an extra fourth-round pick and still take a talented player in Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was seen as a consensus top-10 pick prior to the draft thanks to his combination of size (6-foot-1, 197 pounds), athleticism (4.38-second 40-yard dash) and ball skills (four interceptions in 2022), and cornerback was New England’s top immediate need in the draft.
So, how can the Patriots fill out their other needs Day 2 on Friday night? Let’s do a quick two-round mock draft prior to the second and third rounds:
Round 2, Pick 40: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The Patriots have four picks in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft after acquiring the 120th pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers for moving down three spots in the first round. They have 12 picks overall, and that’s probably too many. So, let’s use the 117th overall pick to move up six spots and take a tight end who can catch, block and make plays with the ball in his hands. He would immediately be New England’s best blocking tight end, joining Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, Scotty Washington and Matt Sokol on the roster.
The Patriots don't have a tight end signed through next season. Washington could be their long-term plan at the position.
Round 3, Pick 76: OT Tyler Steen, Alabama
New England passed up the opportunity to take an offensive tackle 14th overall when they traded that pick to the Steelers, who grabbed Georgia’s Broderick Jones.
Instead, the Patriots can wait until the third round and take the Crimson Tide’s starting left tackle last season in Steen. New Patriots offensive line coach Adrian Klemm was on the staff that coached Gonzalez at Oregon. Patriots returning offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien similarly knows Steen from his time at Alabama.
The Patriots' projected starting tackles — Trent Brown and Riley Reiff — both will be free agents after this season. New England needs a young tackle with the potential to start in the future.
Featured image via Doug Engle / USA TODAY NETWORK
