The New England Patriots have reportedly zeroed in on two positions to address early in the 2023 NFL Draft - and a pair of Ohio State stars could fit the bill.
When the offseason began, many NFL figures suggested the Patriots needed to bolster their offensive line in the first round of this month’s draft after quarterback Mac Jones struggled in 2022. The Patriots have two starting offensive tackles in Trent Brown and free agent signing Riley Reiff, but both men have lengthy injury histories and are entering contract years in 2023.
The Pats also look set to move for a wide receiver, as the franchise look to add a weapon and help Jones. The consensus top receivers in the draft are TCU’s Quentin Johnston, USC's Jordan Addison, and Boston College product Zay Flowers as well as Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
New England officials reportedly met with and spoke to Buckeyes stars in offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and Smith-Nijigba, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The Pats’ respective positional coaches both spoke to the two stars, and they are expected to move for one of them with the 14th pick in the first round.
Johnson is considered one of this year’s top tackle prospects along with Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski and Georgia’s Broderick Jones, and NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry suggested the tackle - along with others at the position - may be gone by the time they step up to the podium.
“Having conversations with people around the league of late, the buzz seems to be that we should be focused in on the cornerback position and the receiver spot when it comes to the Patriots,” Perry said on his ‘Next Pats’ podcast. “And you may be sitting there saying, ‘Well, those are the spots we’ve already been focused on.’ Well, there’s a position that I’m leaving out for now, and I’ll just say that - for now.
“And it’s the tackle spot. And the reason I say that, just a few of the notes that have made their way to me … I’m not sure it’s the strongest tackle class. And, by the time the Patriots are on the board at 14, who will be available?”
Pats head coach Bill Belichick has famously only drafted one receiver in the first round - N’Keal Harry in 2019 - since taking the job in 2000. New England have a number of options and receiver including free agent signing JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, and Tyquan Thornton - but it lacks a true number one.
Smith-Njibga could fill that role. He missed most of the 2022 season with a hamstring injury, but he was electric in 2021 with 95 catches for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns, while he impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Belichick has also rarely targeted offensive tackles early in the draft, taking just two in the first round during his reign in the form of Isaiah Wynn in 2018 and Nate Solder in 2011. Johnson was Ohio State’s starting right guard in 2021 before moving to left tackle for his final collegiate season.
