All 15 of the Patriots 2023 Draft class need work. While it may vary on the amount the coaches have work to do. Especially Troy Brown. Many of these guys have low floors with starting potential. It's going to be interesting to see how their competitions go and who catches the Foxboro flu.
Gonzalez is a former 4 star prospect. A shutdown cornerback that is almost elite in man and better in zone. While he'll play outside, he is versatile enough to be moved around. He would be a day one starter for most teams. Whether that is true for the Patriots depends on how complicated their playbook. He fell so far down the board, meaning there's something there that teams we're happy with. As he was projected in the top 5 by many.
White is big and versatile run defender. A former tight end who has past ankle issues and is raw at the position. His ceiling has been called into question and some reports had him as a mid day two prospect. While needed to go to a team with a strong defensive position coach. Bill Belichick may not be a position coach but he is one of the best defensive coaches in league history.
Mapu is a hybrid linebacker without a true position. His traits best fit a nickel or dime defensive scheme but he should be able to contribute to special teams. His traits as a former receiver get overlooked but he uses them well in coverage. His tackling may be better than some think. Some were upset at Belichick for taking him in the third but after average as many respectable reports as possible. His average projection was round 3.9, getting mad because the team took a late third rounder in the mid third is silly.
Andrews is an anchor from D2 with power. His athleticism and size have been called into question but lately it seems if an offensive lineman doesn't have specific measurements, they're ruled inferior. He's an angry run blocker that excels in the quick game. He's got the ability to play all three interior spots but his game improved at center.
Ryland has the leg but his accuracy has been called into question. However each of the past 3 years he's been over 80% averaging 84.5% during span. He's automatic on extra points. And was good over half the time on kicks longer than 50 yards.
Sow is a slow and nasty run defender. Who's a raw mauler. With his experience, he is a utility lineman, capable of playing all 5 spots. He has good size and some think he's more athletic than being given credit for.
Mafi is a raw prototype interior lineman. That made thr swap from interior defensive lineman. While some think he's got starting potential, his reports read as someone who needs a red shirt year to develop.
Boutte is a versatile Z receiver that some wanna type cast as a slot. His arrival should spell the end of Kendrick Bourne after thus season, if not sooner. He's a guy known for his ability to get yac. Unfortunately, he's a receiver with ankle issues. Even though he had a down year, some scouts still compared him to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If he hits his ceiling, the Patriots have a true number one.
Baringer big leg that kicks them low and long. He's gonna need some development as either he gives too much room / time for returns or he puts the ball in the endzone. He might of been drafted but he has to be coming in as the underdog in the competition.
Douglas is undersized and it seems to be the main reason for his late round status. He's slot and return man. Shifty and elusive are the two words almost every scout used to describe him. For fans that wanted another Welker or Amendola, if Douglas sticks around, you'll have you're guy.
Speed is a underdeveloped fast cover corner who maybe better suited to play a one high safety than a corner. He offers special teams value while the Patriots figure out what they're going to do with him. His 4.3 speed offers value against some of the faster pass catchers they'll face.
Bolden is another defensive back with blazing speed who excels in man coverage and has special teams ability. I really didn't read a lot to explain why the former 4 star prospect went so late, except that he was from the southwestern athletic conference.
Cunningham a smaller passer that is a cross between Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. His arm has the same cons as Mac and Zappe and he trades athleticism for accuracy like most running quarterbacks. I didn't read one report that said he was coming cerebal but there were quite a few that said he need to improve on decision making and compared him to wildcat quarterbacks.
Lumpkin is an underutilized inline tight end, who can play in the slot. He shows flashes of talent as a pass catcher. And he's hard to bring down. He's worth keeping around just for his blocking. He's a basement level floor with a high ceiling.
Jourdan Heilig is a special teams player without a true position on defense. Everything I've read on him, he reads like Nate Ebner only he's more of a backup nickle linebacker. Out of the three undrafted guys, he's got to have the worst odds of making the 53 man roster in September.
That's 15 guys. Cunningham is not going anywhere with his contract. As for the other two, the Patriots said some of the guys in this class were taken before they had the chance. That is probably true for the undrafted guys as well. If I'm being honest, the only guy that helps the 2023 team is Gonzalez. There's a chance the rest can but I don't expect any of the others to make an impact before 2024.
