NFL Mock Drafts Consensus: Patriots Preferred Position?

Two of the most prominent NFL Draft analysts both have the New England Patriots taking cornerbacks over offensive tackles.

The New England Patriots are among the 32 teams who have traveled to Indianapolis for this week’s annual NFL Combine. With the Combine festivities kicking off, what are the latest projections from two of the most renowned NFL Draft analysts? 

The most recent mock draft from Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network has the Patriots taking cornerback Christian Gonzalez out of Oregon.

"Bill Belichick nabs a height-weight-speed corner who can play the ball," Jeremiah said of the Gonzalez pick. 

Listed at 6-2, Gonzalez fits the mold of a Belichick cornerback. After transferring from Colorado, where he spent the first two years of his college career, Gonzalez led the Ducks in interceptions with four while totaling 118 return yards. His play as the top cornerback in Eugene earned him Pac-12 first-team all-conference honors. 

Meanwhile, ESPN's Mel Kiper projects the Patriots also using their No. 14 pick on defense in the form of cornerback Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois.

"Witherspoon is my top-ranked corner, a long and physical player who shut down an entire side of the field for the Fighting Illini," Kiper said. "He also is not afraid to stick his head in and make a tackle." Witherspoon, 6-foot-1, recorded three interceptions with 14 passes defended in 2022.

With the contract of Jonathan Jones expiring this offseason, it would make sense for the Patriots to try and draft his replacements, but would they do it overtaking an offensive tackle? 

In Jeremiah's mock, the top three tackles went off the board before New England's No. 14 pick. But Kiper had Broderick Jones, the left tackle out of Georgia, falling to the Washington Commanders at No. 16. 

What New England will prioritize may come down to who's available; if the tackles are taken, then cornerback seems like a logical need.

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