Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN Football Analyst
PICK: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
LAST UPDATED: January 25, 2023
Kiper's Analysis:
"Will the Patriots bring back free agent corner Jonathan Jones? That could determine what Bill Belichick & Co. do here, because this is a strong cornerback class in the back half of Round 1. There could be a run on defensive backs in the 20s. Witherspoon is my top-ranked corner, a long and physical player who shut down an entire side of the field for the Fighting Illini. He also is not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle. Outside of corner, New England could target offensive line or wide receiver with this pick to try to support quarterback Mac Jones, who struggled in Year 2."
Click here for Mel Kiper's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports NFL Writer
PICK: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
LAST UPDATED: January 25, 2023
Trapasso's Analysis:
"Mayer isn't a big-time athlete,but he does everything well at the position. Safe selection here for the Patriots."
Click here for Chris Trapasso's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com
PICK: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
LAST UPDATED: January 25, 2023
Cherepinsky's Analysis:
"The Patriots need offensive line help, but they also could stand to address their pedestrian receiving corps. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has incredible speed and athleticism. He had a huge 2021 campaign, which included a terrific Rose Bowl performance."
Click here for Walter Cherepinsky's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
PICK: Quentin Johnston WR, TCU
LAST UPDATED: January 24, 2023
Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots need to try again to get a bona fide No. 1 wideout for the sake of Mac Jones with Jakobi Meyers and others heading into free agency and DeVante Parker not being reliable with his health ahead of his Age-30 season. Johnston is ideal size-speed prospect for the outside in the vein of Mike Evans and Mike Williams and also offers route-running savvy and good hands."
Click here for Vinnie Iyer's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports Writer
PICK: Quentin Johnston WR, TCU
LAST UPDATED: January 24, 2023
Wilson's Analysis:
"The Patriots need to get Mac Jones more weapons on the outside after the offense stalled in 2022. Johnston's an above-the-rim playmaker whose athleticism and contested-catch abilities put him in the running for WR1."
Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Analyst
PICK: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
LAST UPDATED: January 23, 2023
Brooks' Analysis:
"The Patriots could elect to go back to the future by drafting a tight end who allows them to utilize more jumbo packages. "
Click here for Buck Brooks' full mock draft.
EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst
PICK: Brian Branch, CB/S, Alabama
LAST UPDATED: January 23, 2023
Jeremiah's Analysis:
"Branch is one of my favorite players in this draft class. He's an outstanding nickel defender with the versatility to move around the secondary."
Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
PICK: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
LAST UPDATED: January 20, 2023
Perry's Analysis:
"The Patriots have a few clear needs headed into this offseason. None are clearer than the spot they tried to man with spare parts all season: seemingly tackle. While Trent Brown was a staple on the left side -- if inconsistent with his performance -- the right side was a revolving door: Isaiah Wynn, Marcus Cannon, Yodny Cajuste, Conor McDermott. They need someone there. In this scenario ... it might be Brown, who has played plenty of right tackle in the past. The reason? Skoronski looks like he has the chops to pass-protect effectively from Day 1 on the left side."
Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer
PICK: Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
LAST UPDATED: January 19, 2023
Edward's Analysis:
"New England gets younger, cheaper and taller at the wide receiver position with the addition of Johnston. He battled injuries this season but played at a high level when healthy."
Click here for Josh Edwards full mock draft.
EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
PICK: Myles Murphy, Edge, Clemson
LAST UPDATED: January 19, 2023
Brugler's Analysis:
"Smooth, strong and long, Myles Murphy has a lot of the traits that would appeal to Bill Belichick. Given his expected testing numbers at the scouting combine, Murphy will create buzz throughout the process, even though his rush plan and setup are still in the development phase."
Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Luke Easterling, DraftWire.com
PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia
LAST UPDATED: January 19, 2023
Easterling's Analysis:
"Offensive tackle is easily just as high on the needs list as wide receiver for the Pats. Jones is the last tackle on the board who should be a first-round lock."
Click here for Luke Easterling's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Rob Rang, Fox Sports NFL Draft Analyst
PICK: Lukas Van Ness, DL, Iowa
LAST UPDATED: December 8, 2022
Rang's Analysis:
"Given the Patriots' season-long struggles on offense, it seems a near-certainty that the club will focus on that side of the ball in the draft. Given how often Bill Belichick has stuck to predictable options, however, adding a physical tone-setter on defense like the ascending Van Ness is probably the more likely outcome."
Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.
