Patriots: A projection of the team’s biggest draft needs in 2023

The New England Patriots biggest offensive holes to fill

There’s an old saying, “The more things change the more they stay the same”. It’s certainly that way with the Patriots, as we look forward to the 2023 draft.

In 2022, they needed an offensive tackle, a game-breaking wide receiver, a guard, an edge pass rusher, and a defensive tackle. Look at 2023 and it looks just about the same.

The top priority (last season it was a top priority) now is a starting offensive tackle. He’ll start immediately on the right side. They are very thin still at offensive tackle and with Isaiah Wynn now not a tackle at all, they are getting thinner since he’s a free agent and unlikely to return anyway.  Trent Brown will also be entering the last year of his deal.

The options in-house are not good unless the team puts mid-season tapped, All-Pro-level right guards Michael Onwenu over there next season. That’s not likely at this point. He’s too good at guard. O-tackle is the pick in the first round or whenever they first pick.

Again, the wide receiver, an annual proposition, is a key need for New England. Flop big-money free agency signing Nelson Agholor’s contract is up and re-signing him would be bizarre even for the Patriots. What he was supposed to bring, a receiver who can take the top off a defense is still a need for the Patriots.

Tyquan Thornton, the team’s second-round pick in 2022 has been a near bust in his first season. They need to go back to the well again at this position. In addition, Jakobi Meyers, for whatever inexplicable reason the team has, is unsigned. As J.C. Jackson, their best cornerback wasn’t re-signed last offseason, who knows if he will be?

Meyers is their best receiver and while not a game-breaker he’s uber-reliable. If he goes, add a second wide out to the needs list. One will be high up and at least one later on in the middle rounds.