Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Needs fulfilled at top of the draft

Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Needs and a little bit of greed

Tennessee defensive lineman Matthew Butler (94) and Georgia offensive lineman Broderick Jones (59) push one another during an SEC football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021.Kns Tennessee Georgia Football /

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The 2023 New England Patriots draft is an important one. Owner Robert Kraft wants a playoff appearance and he’s made that clear in no uncertain terms.

That prospect is not a far-fetched one as the team missed out on the playoffs by literally a play or two in 2022 while operating with a terrible offense.

Free agency has been a mixed bag with two solid additions in skill positions in wide receiver JuJu Smith Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki.

Smith-Schuster is an upgrade over Jakobi Meyers who left in free agency while Gesicki should be miles better than traded Jonnu Smith.

The grades for these two plus dumping Jonnu Smith’s salary have to be A-/B+. Additions to the offensive line, the position of greatest need were uninspiring.

The best is Riley Reiff who’s an upgrade over Isaiah Wynn but at 34 years old he’s not a top performer. Another addition, Calvin Anderson is a waiver-wire type.

Also, keeping third-round bust Yodny Cajuste and Conor McDermott (who’s better) is also not going to set the league on fire. The grades there are D+/C-.

Clearly, there is much to do in the draft. So here’s one C & C attempt at a 2023 mock draft.

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