With 2023 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to get an idea of how 2023 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the New England Patriots, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
These insights are an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 500+ page book “2023 Football Preview” which is now available for download.
In the book, you can find a comprehensive breakdown of the rookie class for all 32 NFL teams by draft guru Ryan McCrystal.
Who are the New England Patriots rookies?
- Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon | Round 1, Pick 17
- Keion White, EDGE, Georgia Tech | Round 2, Pick 46
- Marte Mapu, LB, Sacramento State | Round 3, Pick 76
- Jake Andrews, C, Troy | Round 4, Pick 107
- Chad Ryland, K, Maryland | Round 4, Pick 112
- Sidy Sow, OG, Eastern Michigan | Round 4, Pick 117
- Atonio Mafi, OG, UCLA | Round 5, Pick 144
- Kayshon Boutte, WR, LSU | Round 6, Pick 187
- Bryce Baringer, P, Michigan State | Round 6, Pick 192
- Demario Douglas, WR, Liberty | Round 6, Pick 210
- Ameer Speed, DB, Michigan State | Round 6, Pick 214
- Isaiah Bolden, CB, Jackson State | Round 7, Pick 245
New England Patriots Draft Class Grade:
The Patriots received an A- rookie class draft grade from PFF, a B+ from ESPN, and a B- from NFL Network.
Which Patriots Rookies Will Make An Impact?
It required a bit of luck, but the Patriots trading down and still landing Christian Gonzalez (first round) ranks among the best moves of this draft.
Gonzalez was in man coverage on just 25% of snaps last year at Oregon, but his combination of length and physical strength makes him an ideal fit for New England’s press-man scheme. In 104 snaps in man coverage, Gonzalez allowed just three receptions at 10 or more yards downfield.
Keion White (second round) is an impressive athlete for his size but is already 24 years old and has yet to turn those traits into consistent production.
White generated a 9.5% pressure rate last season while lined up on the edge, ranking 30th out of 39 ACC edge rushers. White lined up as a defensive end in three-man fronts on 54% of his snaps, so he has experience in the role he’ll play in New England.
Marte Mapu (third round) is a linebacker-safety hybrid with interesting athletic traits, but New England took a significant risk taking him on Day 2.
Mapu is making the leap to the NFL from Sacramento State, turns 24 during his rookie year, and did not work out for teams in the offseason due to surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. That’s a lot of question marks for an early third-round pick.
The Patriots also reached for Jake Andrews, another older prospect who turns 24 during his rookie year. He started at guard and center at Troy, though he struggled with the transition to center as a senior.
Andrews will compete for backup jobs with Sidy Sow (fourth round) and Atonio Mafi (fourth round).
Mafi, a former defensive tackle at UCLA, has the highest ceiling of the trio and could be particularly valuable as a run-blocker on the interior.
Mike Onwenu is a free agent after 2023, so one of these young linemen could step into the starting role at right guard next season.
Chad Ryland (fourth round) will be expected to beat out Nick Folk for the starting job at kicker. Ryland is the fourth kicker Bill Belichick has drafted in New England, and while he hit a home run with Stephen Gostkowski, he also whiffed on Justin Rohrwasser and Owen Pochman, neither of whom appeared in a game for the Patriots.
Bryce Baringer (sixth round) will compete with Corliss Waitman for punting duties.
Baringer has a huge leg and led the nation with 52.9 yards per punt when punting from within his own 40-yard line, over three yards more than the next best.
The Patriots took another gamble with Kayshon Boutte (sixth round), who at one point was considered a likely first-round pick but was mentally checked out for most of his final two seasons at LSU.
Expectations couldn’t be lower, but Boutte has the talent of a starter if he’s able to focus on football.
Demario Douglas (sixth round) was a surprising selection because he primarily adds value as a return specialist, but the Patriots just drafted Marcus Jones last year.
Jones returned punts and kicks as a rookie and was among the best return-specialist prospects in recent memory.
Ameer Speed (sixth round) and Isaiah Bolden (seventh round) will compete for jobs on a crowded depth chart at cornerback. It is notable both players posted sub-4.4 times in the 40-yard dash, indicating Belichick likely wanted to add speed to the secondary.
This was a typical Belichick draft, consistently reaching for players who fit the narrow definition he has for each position.
Despite some odd selections from the second round on, Gonzalez could prove to be one of the best selections of the first round.
While special teams selections are always risky, upgrading one of the worst special teams units in Belichick’s tenure was a worthy offseason goal.