This is my final pre draft Patriots big board. It is now up to 212, sorted by position most likely to play. Once again, these prospects were mocked to the Patriots with exception to the Hawaii players and I went through to see who I thought was a fit with their system. 212 is nothing when one thinks of how many prospects are eligible.
*quick note: approximate draft rank were determined by combining 4 draft board rankings that I respect. And the Guys I think they'll probably take are in bold.*
If you want to skip to my cut-down to 125, click here.
(List updated April 22, 2023 with 47 prospects)
Quarterback Prospects
At one point the Patriots only had Bailey Zappe available at the quarterback position. Brian Hoyer was released for unknown reasons. The team needs one more quarterback, even if they sit on the practice squad. Tyson Bagent can be that guy until Will Rogers comes out next year.
Jake Haener, Fresno State
Approximate Rank: 152
Undersized (Montana build), Cerebral and accurate pocket quarterback with a weak arm, sound familiar?
Clayton Tune, Houston
Approximate Rank: 185
A bigger and slightly more mobile but less polished Jake Haener.
Aidan O’Connell, Purdue
Approximate Rank: 191
A bigger but less polished version of Jake Haener.
Tyson Bagent, Shepherd
NFL, Draft Dive, BCS
Approximate Rank: 288
More mobile and less polished version of Bailey Zappe.
I wanna add but instead am giving an honorable mention to Tanner McKee from Stanford as a possible UDFA. He's a classic pocket quarterback with comps of Mike Glennon, Mike White and Matt Schaub.
Running Back Prospects
Stevenson was burnt-out by the end of the 2022 season. The team has yet to prove it has replaced Brandon Bolden or James White. Unless Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are ready for 2022, they still have roles to fill. Khalan Laborn from Marshall is my pick here.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama
Approximate Rank: 32
Zach Charbonnet, UCLA
Approximate Rank: 78
Approximate Rank: 85
Approximate Rank: 203
Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State
Approximate Rank: 205
Travis Dye, USC
Approximate Rank: 308
Approximate Rank: 396
Laborn is a former five star recruit and could be a steal. The big concern will be why didn't a guy of his talent get more playing time.
Toa Taua, Nevada
Tight End Prospects
It's no secret that the Patriots have nobody on the roster at the position next offseason. I would like to see Henry re-signed. But they need to get someone they can stash away in 2023. Tucker Kraft and Leonard Taylor are my picks here.
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame
Approximate Rank: 23
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State
NFL, PFN, Draft Dive
Approximate Rank: 49
Approximate Rank: 83
Approximate Rank: 279
Day 3
Fullback/H-Back
James Devlin and Jacob Johnson were both tight ends that played the fullback role well. They're both gone. The Patriots showed they didn't know how to use the H-back position and Dalton Keene and Jonnu Smith are both gone. They need a fullback. Brayden Willis and Caleb Warren are my picks here.
Hunter Luepke, North Dakota State
Approximate Rank: 233
Jack Colletto, Oregon State
Approximate Rank: 251
From the short snippets I read, the next five guys have potential to be a gold. Risk reward picks.
Justin Pope, Davenport
Approximate Rank: 700
Case Hatch, Arizona State
Approximate Rank: 700
Trent Thompson, Utep
Approximate Rank: 700
Caleb Warren, Rhode Island
Approximate Rank: 700
Receiver Prospects
Tyquan Thorton to me is a deep slot - utility receiver. Unless the Patriots see him stretching the field on the outside and getting the respect Agholor got, they need to fill that role. David Durden is the guy I want to see in it.
Slot:
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State
Approximate Rank: 14
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Approximate Rank: 25
Approximate Rank: 79
Nathaniel Dell, Houston
Day 2
Trey Palmer, Nebraska
Approximate Rank: 125
Jonathan Mingo, Ole Miss
Approximate Rank: 140
Rakim Jarrett, Maryland
Approximate Rank: 171
Tre Tucker, Cincinnati
Approximate Rank: 194
Damaris Douglas, Liberty
Approximate Rank: 250
Keilahn Harris, Oklahoma Baptist University
Z:
Puka Nacua, BYU
Approximate Rank: 192
Dallas Daniels, Jackson State
Chris Coleman, California Polytechnic State
X:
A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
David Durden, West Florida
Approximate Rank: 600
Zion Bowens, Hawaii
Approximate Rank: 700
Day 3
Matt Landers, Arkansas
Day 3
Offensive Tackle Prospects
With the moves the Patriots have made, they have two starters for 2023. They should acquire a developmental guy for 2024. Jaelyn Duncan is a guy I like here and I can see him getting developed to play on the right side.
Approximate Rank: 14
Broderick Jones, Georgia
Approximate Rank: 19
Approximate Rank: 45
Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland
BJ Wilson, Quincy
Approximate Rank: 453
Austin Hopp, Hawaii
Approximate Rank: 700
Interior Offensive Linemen
This is another position the Patriots should acquire a developmental starter. Depth is always good and they need to plan for the future. Oluwatimi is my pick here.
Approximate Rank: 46
Approximate Rank: 60
Approximate Rank: 116
Approximate Rank: 144
Braeden Daniels, Utah
Approximate Rank: 182
Ricky Stromberg, Arkansas
Curtis McClendon, Chattanooga
Approximate Rank: 272
Approximate Rank: 285
Ilm Manning, Hawaii
Approximate Rank: 700
Micah Vanterpool, Hawaii
Approximate Rank: 700
Kicker Prospects
At the very least get a guy who can compete and be a practice squad member. Folk is up there in age, regardless of how well he has performed the past few seasons.
Chad Ryland, Maryland
Approximate Rank: 325
Jake Moody, Michigan
Approximate Rank: 301
Noah Ruggles, Ohio State
Approximate Rank: 336
Punter Prospects
Jake Bailey is gone and the free agent needs to earn his job. They have to have a camp battle. Ethan Evans is my pick here.
Michael Turk, Oklahoma
Approximate Rank: 322
Ethan Evans, Wingate (and backup kicker)
Joe Cardona's career has lasted longer than the average. Even a udfa coming in to challenge him wouldn't hurt. Stoll is my pick here.
Approximate Rank: 369
Chris Stoll, Penn State
Approximate Rank: 524
Stoll was the long snapper for the Patriots at the shrine bowl and one of if not the best long snapper in 2022.
Approximate Rank: 700
Interior Defensive Linemen Prospects
Barmore is good against the pass but the closest they got to replacing Wilfork was Danny Shelton and he's been gone a few seasons now. I like Ika here.
Jalen Carter, Georgia
Approximate Rank: 3
Approximate Rank: 25
Zacch Pickens, South Carolina
Approximate Rank: 104
SI, NDB, Draft Buzz
Approximate Rank: 259
Johan Tavai, San Diego State
Draft Buzz, TMW, MWW
Joshua Pryor, Bowie State
Approximate Rank: 700
Approximate Rank: 700
Darel Middleton, Bethel TN
Approximate Rank: 700
J-Min Pelley, Calgary
Approximate Rank: 700
Blessman Ta'ala, Hawaii
Approximate Rank: 700
Linebacker Prospects
The fanbase wants a linebacker. So linebackers for everyone. With how they're using safeties, I don't see the need but if they need a guy, These guys should at the least be depth pieces and satisfy the base.
Day 1
Approximate Rank: 44
Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama
Approximate Rank: 110
Dylan Horton, TCU
Approximate Rank: 173
Mohamoud Diabate, Utah
Approximate Rank: 241
SirVocea Dennis, Pitt
Approximate Rank: 243
Approximate Rank: 248
Isaiah Moore, NC State
Cornerback Prospects Base.
If the 2022 Patriots had a true number one outside corner, they would've been in more games. Maybe that's Jack Jones but if not, here's some guys that could improve the secondary and just possibly fill that role. I like Forbes and Garrett Williams here.
Christian Gonzalez, Oregon
Approximate Rank: 8
Devon Witherspoon, Illinois
Approximate Rank: 10
Cam Smith, South Carolina
Approximate Rank: 29
Kelee Ringo, Georgia
Approximate Rank: 43
Clark Phillips III, Utah
Approximate Rank: 67
Kyu Blu Kelly, Stanford
Approximate Rank: 108
Montrea Braswell, Missouri State
Safety
The Patriots never replaced Harmon and now McCourty is gone. Hopefully they have the answer in house but if not, there are guys in the draft that can fill both roles. There are also guys who could play that hybrid linebacker-safety role the Patriots have been moving to. I like Antonio Johnson and Riley Moss here.
Brian Branch, Alabama
Approximate Rank: 20
Jordan Battle, Alabama
Approximate Rank: 72
Approximate Rank: 86
Approximate Rank: 90
Jartavius Martin, Illinois
Benny Sapp III, Northern Iowa
Jalen Robinson, Davenport
Approximate Rank: 700
Shannon Showers, West Florida
Approximate Rank: 700
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