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Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Dream picks vs Belichick’s reality picks

By Randolph Charlotin

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 19: Jonathan Mingo #1 of the Mississippi Rebels runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 42-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS - NOVEMBER 19: Jonathan Mingo #1 of the Mississippi Rebels runs the ball during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on November 19, 2022 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Razorbacks defeated the Rebels 42-27. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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There’s so much clamoring for the New England Patriots to select a wide receiver in the first round this year.

First it was TCU’s Quentin Johnson, then Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba, now Boston College’s Zay Flowers. But we all know it’s not gonna happen because the Patriots never gave a damn what analysts think, so we know they definitely don’t give a damn what fans think.

Besides, a rational thinker knows that New England’s bigger problems lie elsewhere. Having the best receivers means little if Mac Jones doesn’t have time to throw or if the defense can’t get the offense the ball.

New England can go in multiple directions with their NFL Draft selections, starting with selection No. 14 overall. Much of the decision-making will depend on how the draft board falls.

With every pick, we will sit with fingers crossed, hoping the Patriots take the player we want. I’ll be going through the same exercise with you. But the chances are extremely slim that fans and the Patriots agree with the selection.

Patriots dream picks vs what will really happen

With that in mind, instead of producing two separate mock drafts for who I want and an actual Patriots mock, I’m combining them.

Finding the players that open my eyes is easy. Trying to get into the heads of the New England Patriots scouting department is a completely different story, but it’s possible. Just last year I correctly projected the Patriots would select a guard in the first round. I just didn’t get the right one.

And if I could get in their heads, then I should had parlayed that to get a job in the Patriots scouting department. Just part time, though. This mock only goes through the first four rounds.

New England’s biggest needs are obvious. One of them should be addressed with the 14th overall selection. And no, it’s not wide receiver.

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