The New England Patriots have been making moves in the 2023 NFL draft. According to Sports Illustrated (https://www.si.com/nfl/2023/04/27/mac-jones-patriots-decision-select-quarterback-draft), the team made the decision to keep starting quarterback Mac Jones and did not trade during the first round of the draft. The Patriots traded down and selected Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback out of Oregon, with the 17th pick. Gonzalez is expected to contribute right away, as reported by The Boston Globe (https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/04/28/sports/2023-nfl-draft-winners-losers-new-england-patriots-analysis/).
The Patriots also traded their 14th pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, as reported by Patriots Wire (https://patriotswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/28/2023-nfl-draft-new-england-patriots-trade/). With a total of 11 picks left in the draft, the team’s selections will be interesting to follow. 98.5 The Sports Hub (https://985thesportshub.com/2023/04/28/patriots-mid-draft-mock-draft/) even did a mid-draft mock draft for the Patriots.
Gonzalez’s contract with the Patriots is projected to be worth $15.7 million with an $8.4 million signing bonus, according to Oregon Live (https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2023/04/christian-gonzalez-oregon-ducks-cornerback-expected-to-be-selected-in-nfl-drafts-first-round.html). The team’s draft picks, which include round-by-round selections, can also be found on Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/england-patriots-draft-picks-2023-033741920.html).
Although the Patriots did not make any free agency signings or trades, they have been making moves during the draft that are sure to impact the team’s performance in the upcoming season. Fans will be eagerly anticipating how the new additions will fit in with the rest of the team.
