Perfect Patriots to be Found in Rounds 5-7 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 when the NFL Draft begins.

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 could be around late in the draft.

WR RONNIE BELL, MICHIGAN

Expert’s Take

“A four-year starter at Michigan, Bell was an inside and outside receiver in head coach Jim Harbaugh’s pro-style spread offense. After missing the 2021 season with a torn ACL, he worked his way back and posted career bests in every receiving category, leading the Wolverines in receiving for the third time in the past four seasons. Bell’s basketball background is evident with his smooth steps and movements and the way he leaps, floats and attacks the football. However, he is quicker than fast with only average acceleration through contact and out of stems, which is tough to overcome vs. NFL coverage.”

How He Fits

As much as the Patriots need a dynamic receiver who can scare defenses, Jakobi Meyers’ departure left significant voids in terms of leadership and reliability. Bell won’t wow anyone with his measurables or testing numbers, but he’s a day 3 prospect who brings intelligence, four-down value, and outstanding character.

Bell was voted a team captain in his final two seasons at Michigan, despite redshirting in 2021 due to a torn ACL. He returned from injury in 2022 to lead his team in receiving, earning Third Team All-Big Ten honors and accepting an invitation to the Senior Bowl with New England’s coaching staff. On the field, Bell’s a smart, reliable player who wins with detailed route-running, exceptional awareness, and strong ball skills that aren’t affected by traffic or contact. He’s also a high-effort blocker with the team-first attitude and return experience to contribute on special teams.

Bell’s lack of size and explosiveness will make it harder to consistently separate at the next level. But if put in ideal situations where he can use crafty routes and football IQ to beat coverage, Bell could develop into a high-end WR3. In the short term, his contributions would likely come on special teams with reserve duties sprinkled in at receiver.

Potential Role: Backup “Z”/slot receiver, backup punt returner

 

CB REJZOHN WRIGHT, OREGON STATE

Expert’s Take

“Scheme-versatile outside cornerback with the talent and skill to become a successful starter in the league. Wright possesses the physical traits to contest throws in the NFL, but his footwork and anticipation keep him in position to make plays on the ball. He’s very agile to mirror and phase routes from man coverage but will need to play with a bit more awareness from zone. Wright’s ceiling could be determined by his ability to open and run with deep targets, and his willingness to step up a little more in run support.”

– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

How He Fits

With a cornerback room full of sub-6′ players, the Patriots could use a bigger, longer cornerback to challenge “X” receiver types who can win above the rim. If they don’t address the position early in the draft, Wright could become another overlooked gem in Bill Belichick’s crown.

Wright has the size, length, and competitiveness teams value in boundary corners. He uses his physical tools and a patient approach to stay sticky and make plays on the football, as evidenced by his double-digit passes defenses in each of the past two seasons. Wright’s toughness shines through in run defense, where he has room for improvement but never shies away from dirty work. Despite playing at a smaller program, Wright’s also proven he can hang with NFL-caliber receivers, posting one of his best performances against potential 1st-rounder Jordan Addison.

Wright is a technically raw prospect and will need to tighten up his discipline and footwork at the next level. But the Patriots have shown they’re willing to take chances on talented corners with ball skills. While there might be ups and downs in his rookie campaign, Wright could contribute quickly in obvious pass situations as a rotational boundary presence with Jack and/or Marcus Jones.

Potential Role: Rotational boundary corner

 

TE PAYNE DURHAM, PURDUE

Expert’s Take

“Durham possesses the measurables of a Y tight end, with the ability to compete as a blocker both in-line and on the move. He still needs to add play strength as a run blocker, though. Durham lacks the speed to threaten the seam and the functional agility to beat coverage underneath. He’s been fairly involved in the Purdue passing game and has a chance to make a team as a run-blocking tight end with the potential to make tough catches.”

– Lance Zerlein, NFL.com

How He Fits

Tight end may be the deepest position in this draft, and New England should be in the market with Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki’s contracts expiring after this season. The offense could also use an in-line blocker who can be more than an obstacle in the run game. However, with pressing needs at nearly every premium position, it wouldn’t be shocking to see tight end addressed until later rounds. If so, Durham could walk into the position room as its best blocker and another reliable pair of hands over the middle.

Durham was voted the National team’s Practice Player of the Week at the Senior Bowl, so it’s safe to assume he’s already  made an impression on New England’s coaching staff. In the NFL, he’ll likely make his money as a primary blocker a la Michael Hoomanuwanui or Dwayne Allen. Durham has the frame, demeanor, and effort to thrive as a protorypical “Y”, but he’s also athletic enough to take on defenders in space. What surprised me while watching Durham were his outstanding hands and concentration, as he rarely drops passes and has some attention-grabbing catches on film.

Durham may not be the position-versatile receiving threat fans want from a modern tight end, but he’s far from a liability when targeted and offers a level of blocking ability New England lacks at the position, He could be an immediate contributor as an in-line blocker out of multiple tight end groupings.

Potential Role: Third-string tight end, backup “Y”

 

RT WARREN MCCLENDON, GEORGIA

Expert’s Take

“Overall, McClendon has enough athletic ability to stick at right tackle with the needed play strength to kick inside if necessary. He brings a lunchpail mentality to the field with good size and understanding of how to play to his strengths that give him a shot at becoming a quality backup right away in a multiple run scheme with spot starter potential within his first contract.”

– Brandon Thorn, Bleacher Report

How He Fits

The Patriots did a nice job bolstering the offensive tackle spot with veteran signings Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson, but there’s a glaring lack of developmental talent outside of 2019 3rd-round pick Yodny Cajuste and 2022 7th-round pick Andrew Stueber. On top of a solid, but shortened Senior Bowl showing, McClendon offers the pedigree, experience, and leadership New England covets in their late-round selections.

A three-year starter at right tackle for Georgia, McClendon allowed zero sacks while being called for just two holding penalties over the past two seasons, earning First Team All-SEC honors in 2022. He’s a smart player with long arms and powerful hands. He also plays with the physicality to succeed in the Patriots’ gap-heavy scheme.

McClendon does struggle against power due to a poor anchor, lacks great athleticism, and comes with injury concerns, including a knee injury that knocked him out of the Senior Bowl after one practice. Though the tackle shouldn’t be expected to start a full season anytime soon, his value as a high-character swing tackle is immensely valuable in a league where competitive play from the position is hard to come by.

Potential Role: Developmental swing tackle

 

LB/DB MARTE MAPU, SACRAMENTO STATE

Expert’s Take

“Mapu projects as a hybrid defender in the NFL, capable of playing all over the field. While history is not so kind to similar players, I fully believe in Marte’s ability to succeed in the NFL considering his track record of different positions he was asked to play in both high school and college. I believe Mapu is fully deserving of a day-two selection, and believe he can potentially be a star in the league with a couple seasons in his belt and in the right situation.”

– The Draft Network

How He Fits

Ja’Whaun Bentley is likely the Patriots’ MIKE linebacker of the future, while Jahlani Tavai flashed at times last season in a reserve role. Still, New England could use more consistency at the spot beyond athletic special teamers, especially with Kyle Dugger likely taking on more back-end responsibilities in the post-McCourty era. Mapu would bring exceptional athleticism, versatility, and toughness to become a cog in the Patriots’ front sooner than later.

The 2022 First Team All-American, who also racked up 14 passes defenses and 4 interceptions in 2021, has a skill set that would perfectly compliment the bigger Bentley. Mapu’s a well-built athlete with the length, instincts, and closing speed to thrive in short zones or in coverage against running backs. His aggresiveness, forceful tackling, and savvy as a blitzer also make him a force coming downhill, and he’s known as a blue-collar worker with extensive special teams experience.

Mapu is every defensive coordinator and special teams coach’s dream, boasting an impressive athletic profile with the production and demeanor to match. His small school background, tweener status, and some tackling inconsistencies will drop the versatile threat to day 3, but he’s the kind of player who would thrive in New England’s multiple defensive scheme after making an early name for himself on kicking teams.

Potential Role: Special teams ace, sub-package linebacker