Patriots Roster Reset: Cornerback fortified, other needs not met
The New England Patriots seemingly had a different idea of their top team needs heading into the 2023 NFL Draft. Analysts believed the Patriots needed youth at offensive tackle and some more pass-catching help atop the draft. Instead, New England loaded up on defenders and interior offensive linemen in the first four rounds. Here's how […]
The New England Patriots seemingly had a different idea of their top team needs heading into the 2023 NFL Draft.
Analysts believed the Patriots needed youth at offensive tackle and some more pass-catching help atop the draft. Instead, New England loaded up on defenders and interior offensive linemen in the first four rounds.
Here's how the Patriots' roster looks immediately after the draft. Note: * denotes a 2023 NFL Draft pick, ** denotes an undrafted free agent.
Quarterback
- Malik Cunningham**
- Mac Jones
- Trace McSorley
- Bailey Zappe
The skinny: The Patriots didn't wind up taking a quarterback in the 2023 NFL Draft, but they reportedly are signing Cunningham as an undrafted free agent. Cunningham and McSorely could wind up battling it out for a practice squad spot in training camp.
Running back
- Kevin Harris
- Ty Montgomery
- James Robinson
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Pierre Strong Jr.
- J. J. Taylor
The skinny: The Patriots have to hope Robinson can stay healthy or Strong and Harris, both 2022 draft picks, can step up behind Stevenson.
Wide receiver
- Kendrick Bourne
- Kayshon Boutte*
- Lynn Bowden
- Demario Douglas*
- Tre Nixon
- DeVante Parker
- JuJu Smith-Schuster
- Tyquan Thornton
- Raleigh Webb
The skinny: The Patriots waited until the sixth round to draft a wide receiver, but they added two intriguing undersized pass-catchers in Boutte and Douglas. They'll battle for roster spots behind Bourne, Parker, Smith-Schuster and Thornton.
Tight end
- Mike Gesicki
- Hunter Henry
- TE Johnny Lumpkin**
- Matt Sokol
- Scotty Washington
The skinny: The Patriots stood pat at tight end in the draft despite a stacked draft class. Veteran tight ends are becoming so inexpensive that it might make less sense to try to develop players at the position until their salaries catch up. Lumpkins joins the team as a UDFA flier.
Offensive line
- OT Calvin Anderson
- C David Andrews
- C Jake Andrews*
- OT Trent Brown
- OT Yodny Cajuste
- C/G James Ferentz
- G Chasen Hines
- G Atonio Mafi*
- OT Conor McDermott
- G Bill Murray
- G Michael Onwenu
- OT Riley Reiff
- C Kody Russey
- G Sity Sow*
- OT Andrew Stueber
- G Cole Strange
The skinny: Guard/center was a sneaky need heading into the draft with James Ferentz as the top backup interior offensive linemen. New England more than addressed that need by taking Jake Andrews, Mafi and Sow. New England still lacks youth and future starters at left and right tackle.
Defensive line
- Christian Barmore
- Carl Davis
- Daniel Ekuale
- Davon Godchaux
- Lawrence Guy
- Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
- Sam Roberts
The skinny: Barmore's development in Year 3 will be key. Second-round pick Keion White is a bit of a tweener between a defensive lineman and edge.
Edge defender
- Anfernee Jennings
- Matthew Judon
- DaMarcus Mitchell
- Ronnie Perkins
- Josh Uche
- Keion White*
- Deatrich Wise Jr.
The skinny: The Patriots met with most of the top edge defenders in the draft. Then they selected the one that they perhaps gave the least attention in White. The Georgia Tech product can play on the edge on early downs and kick inside to rush the passer. He's a great athlete for his 6-foot-5, 281-pound frame.
Linebacker
- Ja'Whaun Bentley
- Chris Board
- Olakunle Fatukasi
- Terez Hall
- Jourdan Heilig**
- Marte Mapu*
- Raekwon McMillan
- Calvin Munson
- Jahlani Tavai
- Mack Wilson
The skinny: Mapu was announced as a linebacker, so that's where we'll put him on this list. He looks a bit more like a safety at this point, however, and that's primarily where he played at Sacramento State. He provides a nice coverage element to this group.
Cornerback
- Isaiah Bolden*
- Myles Bryant
- Christian Gonzalez*
- Jack Jones
- Jonathan Jones
- Marcus Jones
- Quandre Mosely
- Rodney Randle
- Ameer Speed*
- Shaun Wade
The skinny: The Patriots' most pressing need entering the draft was finding a cornerback who could match up with bigger, more physical receivers. They found one in Gonzalez, who's 6-foot-1, 197 pounds. Speed is more of a special teams option but has great size and speed at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds with a 4.33-second 40-yard dash.
Safety
- Joshuah Bledsoe
- Kyle Dugger
- Brad Hawkins
- Jalen Mills
- Jabrill Peppers
- Adrian Phillips
The skinny: The Patriots didn't try to find their next Devin McCourty, but Mapu will likely play somewhat of a safety role in New England.
Special teams
- LS Tucker Addington
- P Bryce Baringer*
- LS Joe Cardona
- ST Cody Davis
- K Nick Folk
- K Chad Ryland*
- ST Brenden Schooler
- ST Matthew Slater
- P Corliss Waitman
The skinny: New England clearly didn't want to lose Ryland, so they used a sixth-round pick to trade up and draft him in the fourth round. It's now his job to lose against Folk, who's 38 years old. They waited back to take Baringer, the first punter off the board.
Featured image via University of Oregon Athletics
