All signs look like the New England Patriots are drafting an offensive tackle with the 14th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, it’s also important to note that things aren’t so black and white once the draft board is up and names start popping up.
ESPN’s Todd McShay came up with a scenario where the Patriots would use their first-round draft picks for defensive players rather than offensive players. latest mock draft.
The Patriots plummeted former Penn State standout Joey Porter Jr., one of the top cornerback candidates in the draft. He is also the son of former NFL All-Pro linebacker Joey Porter. So good defense he is obviously blood related to playing football.
McShay wrote:
“With Jonathan Jones currently a free agent, the cornerback seems like a very likely opening day target for Pat – especially if no one is off the board by the time they pick. Porter Although he only has one interception at Penn State (in 2021), he broke 11 passes last season.He’s tall and plays physical football, keeping receivers at the line of scrimmage. and overwhelm them with 50-50 balls despite weighing only 198 pounds.”
If the Patriots lose Jones in free agency, they’re obviously going to need help on the defensive back end, especially in a unit where Jalen Mills has been bitten by the injury bug more than once.
Porter is a feisty defender with a size and physicality that rivals the league’s elite playmakers.
The first-team All-Big Ten defensive back clearly has a bright future, and he’ll shine on a defense notorious for putting players in the best possible position to succeed.
