Yes, you read that headline right. Round one of the 2023 NFL Draft is in the books. Fans awaited to see who the Patriots would take at pick 14. The answer was nobody, as the Patriots would make fans have to wait by trading back as many expected they would.
The Patriots traded the 14th pick in the 2023 draft to the Steelers for the 17th and 120th picks. The Patriots gave the Pittsburgh a discount as they could've asked for a 2024 fourth or fifth round pick to recoup the full value of the 14th pick.
The Patriots clearly needed a number one Perimeter corner. At pick 14, the team had their choice of Joey Porter Jr who went undrafted in round one, Emmanuel Forbes, Christian Gonzalez, and Deonte Banks. By trading back, it was clear the Patriots didn't care which of them they got.
By trading back I do believe that had Washington taken Gonzalez instead of Forbes, that the Patriots would've taken Forbes but instead the Commanders showed that Gonzalez wasn't seen by all as the best or second best cornerback in the draft, as Witherspoon was already drafted. And the Patriots took Gonzalez one pick after the Commanders.
Gonzalez, a 20 year old Prototype corner with room for improvement. Some suggest he could use more weight. He's a true corner that deters throws outside or in the slot, that's also not a liability against the run. And he can help prevent those pesky kickers from putting up points as well.
The former four star prospect played in and started 30 games. He had 4 interceptions, 129 tackles, 21 passes defended and one blocked kick. Some of those stats came from Colorado, a smaller D1 school.
While most NFL media agreed that he is a day one starter, some graded him as a CB2. That could explain why the Commanders took Emmanuel Forbes ahead of Gonzalez. All I wanna say is thank you Washington for screwing up draft boards, this is one many can live with.
Now, many thought the Patriots were handling the offseason like they were set with their roster. So far the Patriots have made the first move towards proving that in this draft. If the Patriots are in that mindset, they will acquire a tackle, safety and tight end that are at least projected developmental starters before the draft is over.
The other positions like receiver, edge defender, interior offensive lineman, receiving back and punter are all optional at the moment because we don't know what they're plan is with the guys on the roster. Although I'd still like to see a true speedy perimeter receiver (David Durden, fingers crossed) added. Thanks to that day one trade, the Patriots are still in the sweet spot with 11 picks over the next six rounds.
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