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 in the 2nd round.
CB EMMANUEL FORBES, MISSISSIPPI STATE
Expert’s Take
“Forbes projects as a true perimeter and outside cornerback. … Forbes’ ball skills and return ability is an unteachable combination. He has the most pick-sixes in FBS and SEC history. Toning down on aggressiveness and being more disciplined can benefit his NFL future. The development or furthering of his technical process will be important to his ceiling. I believe he can become a CB2 for a defense.”
– Damian Parsons, The Draft Network
How He Fits
Forbes brings the ball skills and return ability New England covets in their defensive backs, but also offers the length their secondary lacked in 2022. Forbes’ playmaking ability was so feared that offenses went out of their way to avoid throwing at him, and he still recorded six interceptions.
Mississippi St CB Emmanuel Forbes is very skilled playing the ball.
Natural hands and concentration to record INTs. Displays explosiveness to elevate and win at the high-point.
Instinctive w/vision and timing to break for the ball. A playmaker w/the ball in his hands #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/BCDv5VIxnB
— WBG84 (@WBG84) April 2, 2023
Forbes is at his most dangerous from off coverage where he can diagnose and make plays on the ball, but he’s also a disruptive press corner with the hip fluidity to mirror receivers in tight quarters. His wiry frame will scare some teams off, but he plays big against the run and doesn’t shy away from physicality.
Somebody should inform Emmanuel Forbes that he's skinny. I don't think he knows. pic.twitter.com/vgNTlZcUWW
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) March 29, 2023
Forbes was one of the Patriots’ first top-30 visits, indicating the team has serious interest in the boudnary corner. He may be more of a rotational piece early on in a crowded cornerback room, but Forbes’ ability to match up with bigger receivers and steal momentum should make him a difficult player to keep on the bench.
Projected Role: Rotational outside corner
OL CODY MAUCH, NORTH DAKOTA STATE
Expert’s Take
“Overall, Mauch is a tone-setting blocker with good athletic ability and play strength paired with a nasty demeanor to be an asset and wear down defenders in the run game, anchor in pass protection and earn a role as a high-quality interior backup.”
– Brandon Thorn, Bleacher Rep0rt
How He Fits
Another one of the Patriots’ early top-30 visitors, Mauch’s versatility, athleticism, and toughness would be a welcomed addition to New England’s offensive line room. A converted tight end, he shines in the ground game and would be a perfect fit next to fellow small-school wonder Cole Strange.
Cody Mauch putting people on the ground pic.twitter.com/FXgeRWUh48
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 4, 2023
Mauch’s short arms and raw technique in pass protection have most projecting him to the interior at the NFL level, but the Patriots have bigger needs on the edge and have proven they’re willing to sacrafice arm length at left tackle for a good value. He also flashed a strong grip and good indepencent hand usage, which could be capitalized on with good coaching.
#NDSU LT Cody Mauch is a menace in the run game, but I really appreciate hiss active hands in pass protection, working to get his hands inside and swiping down the hands of pass rushers.
Pad level is a little high but is always looking to re-establish position, then finishing. pic.twitter.com/MiPSWegpzw
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) March 23, 2023
Having Trent Brown and Riley Reiff on the roster should give Mauch time to develop before he’s called into starting action mid- or late-season. He could also leapfrog James Ferentz as the primary interior backup with a strong camp and preseason. If Mauch proves to be a poor fit, there’s always the option of moving him inside next season with David Andrews in his 30’s and Mike Onwenu becoming a free agent in 2024.
Projected Role: Primary guard, tackle backup with starting potential down the road
RB JAHMYR GIBBS, ALABAMA
Expert’s Take
“Overall, Gibbs is a dynamic running back that should be considered an offensive weapon. His playmaking ability as a running back and as a pass-catcher makes him a mismatch. For teams looking for an explosive playmaker, Gibbs has the opportunity to fill a traditional and nontraditional running back role.”
– Keith Sanchez, The Draft Network
How He Fits
Gibbs’ playmaking ability and experience playing under new Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien make him an easy projection to New England. He has electric speed, elusiveness, and the receiving chops to contribute as much in the passing game as he does running the ball.
Jahmyr Gibbs is a really fun player. His receiving ability is off the charts.
He would be a great addition to the Eagles' offense. pic.twitter.com/3J1U639cnu
— Brenden Deeg (@BrendenDeeg_) March 27, 2023
While the Patriots need more help at wide receiver than running back, Gibbs would give them an electric chess piece whose unique skill set O’Brien has already proven he can maximize. A well-stocked backfield rotation would also mitigate concerns that Gibbs can’t physically handle a workhorse role in the pros.
RBs were a pretty big part of O’Brien’s plan vs LSU. Used Gibbs to create mismatches by shifting him around and targeted him outside and in the slot from empty
Also had multiple plays where a back seemed to be either the first or second read, even in some critical situations pic.twitter.com/i9neBDzhmI
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) February 11, 2023
Gibbs was someone O’Brien and the Crimson Tide relied on whenever they needed a spark on offense, and he didn’t disappoint. Whether that presence is outside the numbers or beside the quarterback, it’s one the Patriots offense needs to become a more formidable unit.
Projected Role: Primary receiving back, second-strong running back skill
CB JULIUS BRENTS, KANSAS STATE
Expert’s Take
“Brents is a classic zone cover corner with an outstanding blend of size, length and leaping ability. He has the disruptive traits to reroute the release and the dog in him to handle his business in run support. He can play some press-man on a vertical plane but lacks the top-end speed and pattern matching to play in that scheme full-time. …While he’s likely to be targeted in the draft as a zone-based corner, he has the instincts and demeanor to make a move to safety if needed.”
– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com
How He Fits
Brents seems like a Devin McCourty story waiting to happen, if McCourty were 6’4″ with the size and length to match. He has all the tools teams want in a #1 corner, with prototypical height-weight-speed measurables that translate to the field.
Julius Brents has all the physical tools, range, agility and awareness to handle multiple coverages. Physical against the run to force the ball inside or make the tackle. The 6-foot-4 Brents is set up to get Drafted in Round 4 or 5 IMO. pic.twitter.com/GER5w0BrT3
— All 22 Films (@All_22_NFL_Cuts) March 1, 2023
Brents’ play recognition and ball skills make him an ideal fit in a zone scheme where he can keep his eyes on the quarterback, but his physical profile allows him to thrive in press coverage. That said, Brents’ compusure downfield needs significant improvement. He lacks the top-end speed to run stride-for-stride with faster receivers, resulting in panicked reps and penalties.
Quentin Johnston vs Julius Brents was an action-packed matchup
The corner showed nice patience early in routes, but really struggled keeping up, finding the ball, and finishing downfield, which led to bad penalties
Had an INT and another PBU on underthrown passes pic.twitter.com/QdfXiJCbtQ
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) April 2, 2023
These issues could lead to Brents becoming a safety, where he can use his range and playmaking ability to lock down the backend. However, if a coach can get Brents to play with confidence and lean into his strengths, he could become a true lockdown CB1 down the road. If not, you’ve got yourself a Jalen Mills replacement in 2024 and another rangy ballhawk to pair with Kyle Dugger.
Projected Role: Rotational outside corner, potential starting safety
WR JOSH DOWNS, UNC
Expert’s Take
“When drafting Downs, you are receiving a dynamic space player with plus-route running. Downs projects best as a slot receiver given a two-way go. He has a play style that fits the chain-mover model. I believe Downs would be a fantastic option/choice route option for an offense. His ceiling may be limited due to his size and frame but the floor is enticing.”
– Damian Parsons, The Draft Network
How He Fits
If Zay Flowers is a juiced up Julian Edelman, Downs is a juiced up Danny Amendola. Like Amendola, Downs lacks outstanding size traits to line up outside consistently, but he knows how to get open and makes incredible catches outside his frame and through contact.
UNC WR Josh Downs has some hops for a 5-9, 171 pound receiver. Plays big. Not afraid going up for contested catches.
Displays quality ball-tracking, concentration, balance, adjustment and hands for 50/50 balls. Also able to extend for passes away from his body. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/T3ZzU28dFF
— WBG84 (@WBG84) March 29, 2023
What sets Downs apart is his explosiveness. Not only can he pull away after winning at the top of routes, but he’s elusive in space and can turn quick throws into big plays. Downs would thrive in the Patriots’ option-heavy scheme.
UNC WR Josh Downs has the ability to shift into another gear to turn short, intermediate passes into explosive plays.
Has fast, active feet to elude/manipulate defenders to rack up YAC and create big-plays. Also displays the vision to find open spaces against a defense #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/LxJSrkUHS5
— WBG84 (@WBG84) March 29, 2023
Downs isn’t an ideal candidate to see the field in base groupings where he’ll have to run block, but he shows sufficient effort to compete in that capacity. If the Patriots miss out on Flowers on day 1, Downs is an excellent backup plan as an immediate starter who can win at every level of the field.
Projected Role: Starting slot in 3-receiver groupings
