Patriots 'Narrow' Draft Targets to Paris Johnson Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Nijigba - Rumor

The New England Patriots have reportedly narrowed their focus in on two positions to address early in the 2023 NFL Draft - with Ohio State stars topping the charts.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn't have a rich and successful first-round history of drafting wide receivers or offensive tackles. But speculation suggests that in this 2023 NFL Draft, that is about to change.

Tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and receiver Jaxon Smith-Nijigba - both of Ohio State - are now the subject of a great deal of buzz. We know that the Patriots have, in one form or another, met both players. We also know, logically, that while New England would be wise to "pick a player and not a position,'' it's the Patriots offense that needs the sort of help that the 14th overall pick in the first round might provide ...

And that beleaguered quarterback Mac Jones - assuming he remains on the good side of Belichick - needs that sort of help.

In the case of wide receiver, consensus top pass-catchers in the draft are Smith-Njigba, TCU’s Quentin Johnston, USC's Jordan Addison and - adding a local flavor - the smallish speedster from Boston College, Zay Flowers.

In the case of offensive tackle, Johnson ranks highly, maybe just behind Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and maybe just ahead of Georgia’s Broderick Jones.

What is Belichick's history with drafting a receiver in the first round? That would be the selection of N’Keal Harry in 2019, the only time it's ever happened. And it didn't work out well.

What is Belichick's history with taking offensive tackles early in the draft? The Patriots have fared better, but it's only happened twice, with Isaiah Wynn in 2018 and Nate Solder in 2011.

Should that history influence what the Patriots do in the first round this year? Of course not. Do the woes of the Patriots offense in 2022 influence what Belichick does? Most critics would reply, "Of course, yes.''

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