ESPN NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Prioritize Offense with OT, WR

In the latest joint mock draft by ESPN experts Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, the New England Patriots boost their offensive by selecting offensive lineman Parison Johnson and receiver Rashee Rice.

The New England Patriots have a new offensive coordinator and a quarterback afforded a "clean slate." But now they must go about the business of injecting some talent - hopefully in the form of playmakers - into a unit that last season was stagnant bordering on stupefying.

In 2023 Bill O'Brien will be calling the re-vamped plays and Mac Jones will be throwing the football. But who will protect? And who will catch?

In an AFC East loaded with offensive stars and speed in the form of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs in Buffalo, Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle in Miami and - most likely - Aaron Rodgers and Garrett Wilson with the Jets, the Patriots need weapons. Fast.

With 11 picks - including No. 14 overall - Bill Belichick has the ammunition to stockpile talent in next week's NFL Draft. And in their final joint three-round mock draft, ESPN gurus Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay predict the Pats will do just that.

Round 1 (14): Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State

Cole Strange worked as a first-rounder last season, starting all 17 games at left guard. With Isaiah Wynn finally gone, the Pats need a dominant tackle to protect Jones. Even better, Johnson is versatile enough to play multiple positions while Trent Brown remains under contract in Foxboro.

Johnson, who is ranked by most draftniks as the second-best tackle behind Northwestern's Peter Skoronski, reportedly had "extensive" meetings with Patriots personnel recently.

Writes McShay:

Man, I thought about tight end (Utah tight end) Dalton Kincaid here. Bill Belichick loves two-TE sets, and Kincaid would be great with Hunter Henry. But Mac Jones also needs protection after struggles under pressure last season, and Johnson has the size, power and awareness to hold down left tackle.

Round 2 (46): Tyrique Stevenson, CB, Miami

A bit surprising here, given that the Pats this offseason re-signed Jonathan Jones and last Spring drafted promising rookies Marcus and Jack Jones.

Writes McShay:

The Patriots re-signed Jonathan Jones, and their pass defense was pretty strong last season, but the cornerback room needs depth. Adding speed and physicality outside makes sense on Day 2.

Round 3 (76): Rashee Rice, WR, SMU

Sure, they signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency and remain hopeful that last year's second-round pick Tyquan Thornton will make a big leap. But as of now, the Pats are desperate for a productive, reliable receiving target.

Writes McShay:

Rice dominates over the middle of the field, and I could see him building a nice connection with quarterback Mac Jones as a reliable target. Even after New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster, it wouldn't feel right exiting Day 2 of the draft without giving the Pats a wide receiver.

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