The New England Patriots have finished third in the AFC East in two of the last three years (second in 2021). The last time they were in third place prior? 2000. This seven-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft aims to put the Pats back on the map and help Bill Belichick surpass Don Shula’s all-time wins record a bit quicker.
Latest New England Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft
Not a fan of New England’s selections in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft? Be the GM and make your picks with PFN’s free Mock Draft Simulator, equipped with trades and the current 2023 NFL Draft order!
WR Jordan Addison, USC | Round 1, Pick 14
Across Belichick’s historic tenure in New England, the Patriots have selected one receiver in the first round: N’Keal Harry, Arizona State (2019). Not only did Harry not live up to his draft capital (57-598-4 receiving line across three seasons in Foxborough), but he was selected over the likes of A.J. Brown, Deebo Samuel, and DK Metcalf.
Yet, history won’t repeat itself with Jordan Addison. For one, the two couldn’t be more different as prospects. Where Harry was a 6’2″, 228-pound possession receiver, Addison is a 6’0″, 175-pound natural separator. His ability to make himself available at all three levels of the field will open up the offense.
LB Drew Sanders, Arkansas | Round 2, Pick 46
Kyle Van Noy, Dont’a Hightower, and Jamie Collins Sr. What do all three of those players have in common? They starred as off-ball/outside linebacker hybrids in the Patriots’ defensive scheme. Drew Sanders could be the next up.
MORE: Top 10 LBs in the 2023 NFL Draft
An Alabama EDGE turned Arkansas off-ball LB, Sanders’ most coveted trait is his ability to blitz from the second level and around the arc. He’s a work in progress in coverage and as a tackler, but the tools are there to thrive in New England.
S Jammie Robinson, Florida State | Round 3, Pick 76
Devin McCourty has been with the Patriots since entering the NFL. But at 35 years old, it might be time for the team to move on. Jammie Robinson has showcased his ability to play deep safety, in the box, and in the slot. Despite standing 5’10” with 29″ arms, he’s a reliable tackler with sought-after coverage ability downfield.
CB Carrington Valentine, Kentucky | Round 4, Pick 107
Carrington Valentine is worthy of a top-100 selection, but in a deep corner class, talented players are going to fall a bit. Historically, the Patriots favor man coverage, but last year, they flipped the script. Not because of a change in defensive philosophy — they just didn’t have the right personnel.
Valentine can change that with proper coaching. Currently, he’s overaggressive and inconsistent in his technique, but he has the competitiveness, explosiveness, and length to mold into a standout man corner.
RB Tyjae Spears, Tulane | Round 4, Pick 117
Possibly the biggest “winner” from the Senior Bowl, Tyjae Spears turned heads all week long. It began when he weighed in at 204 pounds — almost 10 pounds over his roster-listed 195. Then, he displayed his trademark explosiveness as a runner and against linebackers in one-on-one receiving reps. Heck, he even flashed in pass protection!
G Atonio Mafi, UCLA | Round 4, Pick 135
In his first full season starting at guard for UCLA, Atonio Mafi exhibited his ability to fill the same role in the NFL. A high school defensive lineman, he can still improve the finer aspects of the position, such as hand usage, but his anchor and strength at the point of attack provide a stable foundation to build off.
EDGE Nick Herbig, Wisconsin | Round 6, Pick 184
Of Nick Herbig’s 1,500+ career snaps at Wisconsin, nearly 1,400 came on the edge. Yet, that won’t be his role in the NFL. With limited arm length and overall size, he’ll need to move to off-ball linebacker. Herbig has the athleticism to drop in zone coverage, but we simply haven’t seen enough of it.
Nevertheless, while he’s learning a new position, he can contribute on special teams and as a designated pass rusher on obvious passing downs.
DT Keondre Coburn, Texas | Round 6, Pick 187
At 6’1″ and 344 pounds, Keondre Coburn is a nose tackle through and through. He can shore up New England’s mediocre — at best — run defense from a season ago.
MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board
His height gives him a natural leverage advantage against most interior linemen, and he can overwhelm them with pure power. Coburn might be a two-down player only, but if Belichick and Co. can get the most out of him in those two downs, he would be a steal in the sixth round.
OL Quinton Barrow, Grand Valley State | Round 6, Pick 192
Hailing from DII Grand Valley State, Quinton Barrow recorded nearly 40 starts since 2019 (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID), earning all-conference honors each year. On top of displaying the durability and reliability NFL teams covet, Barrow demonstrated footwork and athleticism you wouldn’t expect from a man his size (6’5 “, 322).
PFN’s own Tony Pauline highlighted Barrow earlier in the season: “Barrow displays excellent awareness and blocking vision, and he’s always looking for someone to hit. He’s a nasty offensive tackle who works to finish off blocks and bury opponents.”
QB Tyson Bagent, Shepherd | Round 6, Pick 210
Although Tyson Bagent didn’t have the greatest showing at the Senior Bowl, his arm talent was plain to see. After all, you don’t break the NCAA career passing touchdowns record for all divisions (159) by accident. And while the leap from DII to the NFL feels impossible, it’s a gamble worth taking for the Patriots.
WR Nikko Remigio, Fresno State | Round 7, Pick 258
With 29″ arms at 5’9″ and 180 pounds, no one is mistaking Nikko Remigio for a No. 1 receiver in the NFL. He’s a competent slot receiver with sound hands and impressive wiggle in the open field. But that’s not even where he’ll add most of his value from Day 1. Remigio is an electric kick and punt returner, and he took two punts to the house last season.