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Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Belichick goes for the gold

By Michael DeVito

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Offensive lineman Peter Skoronski of Northwestern speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 04: Offensive lineman Peter Skoronski of Northwestern speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 4, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots
Baylor defensive lineman Siaki Ika. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots go defensive tackle in second round

Similar to Mock Draft 1.0 here, the Patriots address a little spoken about but still critical need, defensive tackle. And lo and behold, it’s the same player, who they’d acquire in this go-round after a trade down with Dallas.

The pick here is,

Siaki Ika from Oregon is a massive nose tackle who’ll clog the middle of the defensive line nicely. He’s 6’3″ tall and weighed in at the Combine at 335 pounds.

The Patriots like big nose tackles who can tie up blockers, and Ika fits the mold of a Vince Wilfork type. He’s ranked sixth on PFF’s list of top interior defensive linemen.

While it’s acknowledged here that Christian Barmore plays his best on the nose, the Patriots’ brain trust evidently doesn’t think so and plays him in a gap. This pick concurs with that mindset.

Keeping with the “build-out from the lines first” theory, Ika would be a top addition. He can slot right in on the nose and will be a terrific young partner to Barmore for years.

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