Perfect Patriots to be Found in Rounds 3-4 of NFL Draft

The Patriots did a great job plugging holes in their roster during free agency. Nearly every player from last year’s defense will be returning in 2023, and the offense made solid upgrades at pass-catcher while adding necessary depth at offensive tackle and running back.

Still, there are spots on the roster that need to be addressed. There is no obvious heir to Jakobi Meyers’ top receiver role, both tackle spots could use an infusion of youth, and the cornerback room lacks a reliable starter above 5’11”. Luckily, this draft class is loaded at positions where New England should be looking to add young talent come April 27th.

This ‘Perfect Patriots” series will explore prospects all over the draft who would be great in New England based on scheme, team needs, and positional value. This week, we’re taking a look at fits who are likely to come off the board between rounds 3 and 4. With the Patriots holding one pick in the 3rd (76) and three picks throughout the 4th round (107, 117, 135), this may be the important range of players for New England.

WR JONATHAN MINGO, MISSISSIPPI

Expert’s Take

– Dane Brulger, The Athletic

How He Fits

While the Patriots will almost certainly be in on at least one undersized dynamo at receiver, they also have a sneaky lack of depth at the “X” receiver spot behind DeVante Parker. Nelson Agholor filled the role for much of the past two seasons with his vertical speed to clear out defenders, but his departure leaves the spot vacant in New England’s “Z”/slot-heavy receiver room that lacks a proven big-play threat. Mingo, a former team captain, Senior Bowl participant, and top-30 visitor, would check a lot of New England’s boxes, offering a three-level threat with alignment versatility.

Mingo is a big-bodied receiver with strong hands to threaten 1-on-1 matchups backside, complimented by enough elusiveness and blocking ability to kick inside. He also builds a lot of steam when left untouched on downfield to blow past defenders on double-moves. In tight coverage, he can dominate at the catch point and has exceptional tracking ability. Though Mingo lacks the quickness or burst to separate from more disciplined defenders, he can use his size to box them out.

There are still things to work out in Mingo’s game, like route discipline and separating from tight coverage, but he’s a tough, high-chracter prospect with the traits to be a great complimentary receiver his rookie season.

Projected Role: Z receiver with X and slot versatility

 

SAF JORDAN BATTLE, ALABAMA

Expert’s Take

– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

How He Fits

Devin McCourty’s retirement leaves a significant void in terms of communication and leadership. Still, between Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers, and convert Jalen Mills, the Patriots are well-stocked at safety on paper. But there isn’t an obvious free safety replacement in a room full of box specialists, and every projected starter is at least 27 years old. Drafting 2021-2022 Second Team All-American and former team captain Jordan Battle could be an efficient way to address these issues.

Battle’s a smart player who packs a punch coming downhill and levels receivers from split-field assignments, quickly getting eyes from the receiver to the quarterback before exploding downhill. In addition to ball skills and return ability, which we know the Patriots covet, Battle brings exceptional discipline and consistency. Battle could actually be an upgrade over McCourty in run defense, as the former Crimson Tide excels at finding the most efficient path to the ball and stopping its carrier in his tracks.

The safety does lack the top-end speed to make plays sideline-to-sideline and was burned at times in man coverage. But his intangibles, flashes of playmaking ability, and, ya know, playing under Nick Saban, make him a no-brainer option for New England. Their training staff also coached Battle during Senior Bowl week. It’s nearly impossible to predict how the Patriots’ safety rotation will ultimately play out, but there’s no reason Battle shouldn’t see a decent number of snaps early on.

Projected Role: Free safety

 

RB ERIC GRAY, OKLAHOMA

Expert’s Take

– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

How He Fits

The Patriots have a lot of bodies behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but they’re all either coming off significant injury or haven’t proven themselves at the NFL level. Gray would serve as the perfect “lightning” to Stevenson’s “thunder” as an elusive change-of-pace back with receiving upside.

The Second Team All-Big 12 honoree has the patience, burst, and balance New England likes from their backs. He can be very tough to tackle head-on thanks to outstanding spatial awareness and a thumb that’s never too far from the spin button. He’s also surprisingly effective at the goal line. Gray showed flashes of natural receiving talent at Oklahoma, though his route-running experience is limited, and he’s a willing blocker, pass or run.

Gray isn’t a downhill bruiser like Damien Harris and he lacks the speed to run away from defenders. But his skills perfectly complement the Patriots’ current top dog in the backfield, and he’d provide insurance for receiving back Ty Montgomery this season and beyond.

Projected Role: Change-of-pace back, backup receiving back

 

ED BYRON YOUNG, CLEMSON

Expert’s Take

– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

How He Fits

The Patriots already have one of the league’s deepest groups of pass rushers in Matt Judon, Josh Uche, and Deatrich Wise. But with Uche a free agent next offseason and Judon in his 30s, it’s a group in need of depth. Young’s quick first step, easy redirection, and lane discipline would make him an excellent fit in New England’s system.

Young ran a blazing 4.40-second 40-yard dash at the combine, a time that shows in his pursuit and when converting speed to power. He also has the ability to hit the brakes to maintain depth and win inside. Young’s a proven commodity on stunts, using his explosiveness to stress unsuspecting interior linemen. As a run defender, he excels against downhill schemes but struggles to hold his ground against outside zone.

Young is undersized and on the older side, which could actually help his chances of ending up in New England. He could serve as another gem in the Patriots’ passing down fronts while rotating in on early downs against downhill run schemes. Young could also replace Uche as the primary sub-rusher if the 2024 free agent moves on.

Projected Role: Sub-package rusher

 

OT WANYA MORRIS, OKLAHOMA

Expert’s Take

“Overall, Morris has a hot-and-cold element to his game with glaring lapses in technique and clean losses, but he has plus power, athletic ability, length and flashes of dominance that will allow him to compete for a backup role with starting tackle potential within his first contract.”

– Brandon Thorn, Bleacher Report

How He Fits

A former five-star recruit out of high school, Morris played left tackle at Tennessee from 2019-2020 before backing up day 2 prospect Antonio Harrison for a season at Oklahoma, then starting at right tackle his senior year. His resume earned Morris an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he worked with New England’s coaching staff and stood out against some of the draft’s best pass rushers.

As his Senior Bowl performance proved, Morris is one of the more athletic tackles in his class. He uses exceptional length, mirroring ability, and powerful hands to subdue pass rushers and bury run defenders. Morris also has the athleticism to pull and block in space that New England covets in their linemen.

 

Morris is projected to be a swing tackle early in his career due to issues with pad level and hand technique, which means he could drop into New England’s lap at the bottom of the 4th round. But his rare athleticism, versatility, and competitive play style could see him crack the starting lineup sooner than later.

Projected Role: Swing tackle with starting potential