The New England Patriots' 2023 NFL Draft class will be assembling at Gillette Stadium for rookie minicamp later this week, but don't expect to hear much about those sessions.

The Patriots don't open up rookie minicamp practices to the media, but the team might release some images for the weekend practices.

There won't be a true sense of where New England's rookies stand until organized team activities and minicamp are open to reporters later this month. We can project where the Patriots' 12 draft picks will play this season, however.

Round 1, No. 17 overall: CB Christian Gonzalez, Oregon

Given the Patriots’ need for a big cornerback who can match up with taller wide receivers, it would be a slight disappointment if Gonzalez wasn’t a Week 1 starter in New England’s defense. The Patriots could choose to deploy him on more of a matchup basis early in his career, but if all goes well in training camp, then there’s no reason why any cornerback on the roster other than Jonathan Jones should be playing over him.

Round 2, No. 46 overall: DL Keion White, Georgia Tech

Only three front-seven defenders played over 60 percent of snaps for the Patriots last season: linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley, edge defender Matt Judon and defensive lineman Deatrich Wise. Wise had never played more than 55.6 percent of snaps in a season before last year’s 73.4-percent workload. So, one easy way to slot in snaps for White would be reducing Wise’s playing time. White could take some interior defensive line reps from guys like Daniel Ekuale and Carl Davis. He’s set for a rotational role.

Round 3, No. 76 overall: LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento State

Mapu is a tweener linebacker/safety who will be competing for snaps with not only a linebacker like Jahlani Tavai but also safeties like Jabrill Peppers and Adrian Phillips. New England could use a player with Mapu’s athleticism in coverage and also his devil-may-care playing style near the line of scrimmage. Mapu also appears due for a rotational defensive role on a matchup basis.

Round 4, No. 107 overall: C Jake Andrews, Troy

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said something interesting on NBC Sports Boston last week about Patriots starting center David Andrews:

"There’s some suspicion, like, where is David Andrews going to be in September?" Breer said on “Boston Sports Tonight.” "There’s a feeling like, maybe, is he — what sort of position is he going to be in at the start of September? And I think that's why they draft(ed) (Jake) Andrews, as sort of insurance against what happens at center."

Andrews is under contract through the 2024 season and he’s a bargain with a cap hit under $7 million. So, most logically, Jake Andrews will serve as David Andrews’ backup. But Breer’s report at least raises the possibility that Jake Andrews could be a starter if something happens withe David Andrews.

Round 4, No. 112 overall: K Chad Ryland, Maryland

After trading up to take Ryland, if he’s not the top kicker and kickoff man, it’s a disappointment.

Round 4, No. 117 overall: OL Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan

The Patriots have two locked in starters at guard in Cole Strange and Michael Onwenu. If Sow takes tackle reps in training camp, then it’s possible he could push Trent Brown or Riley Reiff for a starting job. That seems somewhat unlikely since Sow hasn’t played regularly tackle since 2018.

Round 5, No. 144 overall: G Atonio Mafi, UCLA

Mafi agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract Tuesday. As long as he makes the roster, he’ll serve as depth behind Strange and Onwenu.

Round 6, No. 187 overall: WR Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Based solely on pure skill, Boutte is one of the most talented wide receivers on the Patriots’ roster. He was a five-star recruit who set records at LSU. So, a lot had to go wrong for Boutte to drop to the sixth round. He’ll enter the summer on the roster bubble. If he makes the team, it will likely be a reserve role behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne and Tyquan Thornton.

Round 6, No. 192 overall: P Bryce Baringer, Michigan State

Baringer is competing for the punting job with Corliss Waitman. He’s the favorite for the job.

Round 6, No. 210 overall: WR Demario Douglas, Liberty

Douglas is among the wide receivers competing for a roster spot with Boutte. He’s another fun prospect, who, unlike Boutte, was not highly recruited and instead earned his spot as a sixth-round pick through a gradual ascent up Liberty’s depth chart resulting in impressive college production.

Round 7, No. 214 overall: CB Ameer Speed, Michigan State

Speed was only a one-year starter on defense, and it took transferring from Georgia to Michigan State. If he can impress on special teams, he can earn a spot on the roster.

Round 7, No. 245 overall: CB Isaiah Bolden, Jackson State

Bolden was another one-year defensive starter. He’s tall and fast just like Speed, and he too will likely need to impress on special teams to earn a spot on the roster.

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