Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft Re-do: The picks Belichick should’ve made

New England Patriots add a punter and more depth pieces

In the fifth round with pick No. 144, the Patriots selected a guard, Antonio Mafi (their second) from UCLA. The alternative likes the pick and also takes Mafi to help provide quality depth inside on the O-line where little exists now.

Moving to the sixth round, the team has three picks and it’s time to take fliers on players and fill more needs. The team selected wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, a wide receiver from LSU with the 187th pick.

The alternative selects the same position as pick No. 187 but goes in another direction. It selects a bigger target for quarterback Mac Jones, A.T. Perry, from Wake Forest.

Perry is big at 6’3 1/2″ tall and 198 pounds and the perfect draft complement to Charlie Jones selected earlier. He’s productive logging 82 catches, gaining 1096 yards with 11 TDs in 2022. Wide receiver is set.

At pick No. 192, the team selects another clear-need, defensive tackle. It’s Scott Matlock from Boise State.

Here’s what nfl.com had to say about Matlock:

"Matlock might fit best as a 4i or five-technique, where he can avoid interior blockers a little more often while activating his motor and athleticism. He’s not going to be a consistent block-beater or take on double teams unless he’s able to get bigger and stronger, but he does show flashes as a rusher and as a penetrator against the run. He could have late-round value."

With pick No. 210 in the sixth round, the Patriots selected wide receiver, Demario Douglas. Having already drafted two wideouts, the alternative goes in a different direction selecting punter Bryce Baringer, whom the Pats selected at pick No. 192. Hopefully, he slips this far.

With their last pick in the sixth round, No. 214, New England selected cornerback, Isaiah Bolden from Jackson State. In the alternative, the Patriots select Zach Kuntz, another big tight end from Old Dominion. Kuntz is 6’7″ tall and weighs 255 pounds.

Along with Washington, he adds youth and size to a tight-end room that needs lots of help. Both top tight ends, Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are out of contract after this season.

Finally, in the seventh round with the Patriots’ last pick, the 245th pick of the 2023 draft, the selection is backup center, Alex Forsyth from Oregon. Forsyth played under new Patriots O-line coach, Adrian Klemm.