Foxboro, Mass. – Better, Worse, or the Same? Where does the New England Patriots fall on that subjective metric after the 2023 NFL Draft — in which they added 12 new players to the team, with the top three picks on defense — compared to the roster at the end of the 2022 season?
One thing seems clear: Bill Belichick’s investment in people reflects a desire to build a football team that is physically fit and tough. With the challenge of defending quarterbacks Josh Allen (Bales) and Aaron Rodgers (Jets), and the Dolphins’ big offense, it’s clear that Belichick has placed a lot of importance on the defensive approach that holds them back.
It’s always a three-phase mentality (offense, defense, and special teams) with Belichick’s team-building approach, which paves the way for position-wise dividing:
quarterback
Returnees: Mac Jones, Billy Zabe
losses: Brian Hoyer
Extras: Trace McSorley, owner of Cunningham
Better, worse or the same? same.
One could claim that the addition of offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, and a modified offensive system, qualifies him as better, but that’s a personnel shot.
running backs
Returnees: Ramonder Stephenson, Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris, JJ Taylor
losses: Damien Harris
Extras: James Robinson
Better, worse or the same? worst.
Veteran Robinson could offer more value in the passing game, but his health is a question dependent on what contract he signed (with injury waivers) after he was limited to 11 games with the Jaguars and Jets last season. Harris’ tough inside run will be missed.
wide receptors
Returnees: DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Kendrick Born, Trey Nixon, Lynn Bowden Jr.
losses: Jacob Myers, Nelson Agholor
Extras: Jojo Smith-Schuster, Caychonne Butt (Draft), DeMario Douglas (Draft)
Better, worse or the same? same.
Myers has led all Patriots receivers in each of the past three seasons, but the team has been less aggressive in retaining him than in their pursuit of Smith Schuster, who has higher physical attributes but isn’t as durable.
narrow ends
Returnees: Hunter Henry, Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington
losses: John Smith
Extras: Mike Jesicki, Johnny Lampkin
Better, worse or the same? better.
Gesicki isn’t a big eater who’ll be on the line of scrimmage and mix it up constantly as a blocker, but he did have 73 receptions two seasons ago with the Dolphins. Now he’s up against an offense that suits him better, because O’Brien has a history of moving tight ends in different places to take advantage of Gesicki’s wide receiver-type profile. O’Brien had Gesicki assigned to Penn State during his tenure as head coach (2012-2013) and Belichick noted the challenge of facing him in the NFL, saying, “He’s a tough guy with a game plan. It’s hard to cover. He’s a one-of-a-kind player.”
offensive line
Returnees: Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, Mike Oneno, Conor McDermott, Yodney Kagost, James Ferentz, Bill Murray, Chasen Hines, Cody Rossi, Andrew Stoeber
losses: Isaiah Wynne, Marcus Cannon
Extras: Riley Reeve, Calvin Anderson, Jake Andrews (draft), Sir Sue (draft), Antonio Maffei (draft)
Better, worse or the same? better.
Simply by adding several reinforcements, the Patriots are better prepared to build a strong physical line that can overcome the inevitable injuries. However, the ceiling for tackling talent does not appear to be as high as would be desired. It appears the Patriots are eyeing Reiff, 34, for a starting role. “He’s been in the league for a long time, a very experienced guy, and he’s played several positions,” Belichick said. “Smart, tough guy. Happy to be around.”
Keion White’s NFL profile
Check out the highlights from Georgia Tech defensive end Keon White.
defense line
Returnees: And there’s Godchaux, Lawrence Gay, Christian Barmore, Dietrich Wise Jr., Daniel Equali, Carl Davis Jr., Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Farms Jr.
losses: no one
Extras: Keon White (DL/LB; draft)
Better, worse or the same? better.
Barmore (2021 second round) seemed unkillable at times late last season, a reminder of his exciting potential in the season when he didn’t take the expected sophomore jump, due in part to a knee injury. The addition of White in Round 2 makes this unit an improvement.
full back
Returnees: Matthew Goodon, Josh O’Shea, Jawaun Bentley, Jahlani Tafai, Anverney Jennings, Raekwon McMillan, Mack Wilson Sr., Darcus Mitchell, Therese Hall, Calvin Monson, Ronnie Perkins
losses: Jimmy Collins
Extras: Marte Mapu (draft; LB/S flex), Chris Board, Olakunle Fatukasi
Better, worse or the same? better.
Keion White’s aggressive play style as a versatile DL/LB type, and Mapu’s aggression on the slopes reflect the identity with which the Patriots want to build their defensive and special teams units.
noon corner
Returnees: Jalen Mills, Jonathan Jones, Jack Jones, Marcus Jones, Miles Bryant, Shaun Wade, Quander Mosley
losses: JoeJuanWilliams
Extras: Christian Gonzalez (Draft), Amir Speed (Draft), Isaiah Bolden (Draft), Rodney Randle Jr.
Better, worse or the same? better.
Gonzalez’s 6-foot-2, 201-pound first-round pick added length to a mostly smaller group, without sacrificing speed. Offensive line coach Adrian Klim was at Oregon last season when Gonzalez played there and he said, “He doesn’t say much but he’s a leader through his play. It was all about his work. When we needed to make the plays, he was the guy who would make those plays, and he’d make them.” routinely.”
safety
Returnees: Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Gabriel Peppers, Joshua Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
losses: Devin McCourty
Extras: None (although the versatile Mapu can play it safe)
Better, worse or the same? worst.
McCourty helped keep things together and covered the deep part of field. There doesn’t seem to be anyone within the group with the same skill set unless the team considers using a cornerback like Jonathan Jones at safety.
special teams
Returnees: Nick Folk (kicker), Joe Cardona (snapper), Matthew Slater (cover), Cody Davis (cover), Brenden Schooler (cover), Raleigh Webb (cover), Tucker Addington (snapper)
losses: Jake Bailey (The Gambler), Michael Balardi (The Gambler)
Extras: Chad Ryland (draft; kicker), Bryce Barringer (draft; punter), Chris Board (cover), Corliss Whitman (punt)
Better, worse or the same? better.
There are projections that the draft picks Ryland and Baringer will develop into solid pros, but it’s hard to imagine the kickers (who ranked last in 2022) and kickoffs could be worse than they were in 2022. The coverage breakdown has also been addressed, with Belichick Board called the best special teams player the team faced in 2022, when he was with the Lions. Personnel director Matt Groh picks on Ryland and Baringer’s draft: “Being able to add two of the best players in their positions was definitely an opportunity we didn’t want to miss.”