NFL Notebook: Thinking out loud about the Patriots' underwhelming draft that feels like 2020

After three days and the Patriots making 12 — 12! — selections (nine on Saturday) my brain was fried it would not have been useful for me to force some snap judgments just because the draft was over. So I got some sleep, cleared my head and took a fresh view this morning:

• While I know there are many teams that wonder if Christian Gonzalez has the internal makeup worthy of being a top 20-drafted and No. 1 cornerback in the NFL, the Patriots had to put his name in. The measurables and film are just too good in the passing game, and he was right there to add a different — and needed — physical profile to the defensive backs film. I have zero issue with that pick. Worth the risk, especially after trading down, whatever that risk may be. I don't think it's all that much.
• Overall, however, I left underwhelmed by the Patriots' selections in this draft. The last time I felt that way was 2020, and was largely right. Reasonable and unreasonable people will debate about Kyle Dugger, who has certainly been a good player and worthy of the second-round selection, but has been kind of the same guy for the duration — full of promise and maker of big plays. He hasn't taken "The Leap" to real-deal star and he's now 27. It could still happen this year; everyone progresses differently. Josh Uche took until his third season to become a productive pass rusher, but it doesn't appear he'll be a full-time starter here. And after some of these draft picks (S/LB Marte Mapu, two guards) it's not a stretch to say that Dugger, Uche and Mike Onwenu — by far the best picks in 2020 — could all be elsewhere after this season. That would be unfortunate.
• Like 2020, I come away feeling underwhelmed by how much the Patriots helped themselves in short order, outside Gonzalez, the punter and kicker. White and Mapu are in very crowded situations at their positions. The Patriots have three really good players at the two guard spots and center — yet they got one of each and not one tackle where they are hurting big time now and, especially, a year from now. The two late receivers and cornerbacks are lottery tickets, and that's fine that deep in the draft. I like how the Patriots bet on traits later in the draft this year. Usually they bet on special teams ability. Sigh.
• This would be a good draft for a team that was rolling and looking to add depth/secure the future. The Patriots are not that team anymore, not sure if Bill Belichick has noticed or is even capable of thinking that way (it's been a while).
• The Eagles went to the Super Bowl and they were aggressive getting DT Jalen Carter, LB Nolan Smith, OT Tyler Steen, S Sydney Brown, CB Kelee Ringo, QB Tanner McKee — and traded for Lions RB DeAndre Swift. I mean, it's that a better Patriots need-based draft ... by the Eagles?
• And, of course, this was a great tight end draft, and the Patriots drafted zero of them with two on the roster that are going to be free agents after this season. Also makes no sense. And Groh basically saying they wanted to take one but those players went too quickly ... that's a bad job on their part — it seems like they weren't prepared for that. They had plenty of ammo to go up and get at least one they wanted. Feels like they lost on that. It's similar to 2021 with receivers. It was heralded as one of the deepest drafts ever, and the Patriots only took Tre Nixon in the seventh round as Ernie Adams' final pick.
• Not one tackle, tight end or receiver reasonably early. Didn't think that would happen with the 2024 roster situation at each spot (seven total). Headed for a predictable overpay at all three spots a year from now either internally or externally?
• I'll give the Patriots credit for this: as least they gave themselves succession options at guard and safety. They've slacked on that in recent years.
• Speaking of 2020 and this weekend ... Justin Rohrwasser (fifth round), Chad Ryland (fourth round) ... hoping the Patriots have better luck there. Like drafting Rohrwasser, Patriots better be sure on taking a kicker that high. They passed on, among others, OT Carter Warren (could have gone up two spots and picked OT Dawand Jones as well), QBs Jake Haener and Aidan O'Connell, LB Nick Herbig, WR Tyler Scott.
• That the Patriots had second-round pick Keion White on its shortlist at 17, as Mike Reiss reported, but got him at 46 is no badge of honor for me. It's just further evidence that the Patriots are disconnected from how you defend modern offenses. White is not an edge player — even if Josh Uche and/or Anfernee Jennings fly the coop in free agency after this season. He's not an interior starter, unless Bill Belichick is suddenly going to put Deatrich Wise, one of Belichick's binkies, on the bench. How do you consider drafting a tweener at 17? Even if he's Ty Warren ... it's 2023, not 2003 (13th overall). If any pick makes you have thoughts about Belichick being a bit behind the times, it's that one.
• White is basically a rotational sub-rusher for the foreseeable future (say hello to Christian Barmore and Uche while you're there). And that's not valuable enough to draft in the second round, let alone the first. If White is definitely going to get the chance to play over Wise — I've long been critical of him inside against the run but love the pass rush — early and often, then I'm a big fan of the pick. But I don't think there's much of a chance of that happening given Belichick's history.  
• While I'm on this subject, this is one of my growing pet peeves with the draftniks around these parts — and the Patriots themselves: they get all lathered up that X is a scheme/measurables fit for what the Patriots are looking for. They never stop to ask the essential question: should they be? Just because Player X fits what the Patriots want doesn't make them a good draft pick for the 2023 Patriots — maybe 2003. If the team can't defend good offenses — and they keep bringing back the same players — maybe they should be looking for other things. Just a thought.
• We hear, from people like Mike Lombardi, Matt Groh and Belichick, about how the Patriots always look at how they do things, learn from mistakes and change how they find players. If what the Patriots are looking for largely hasn't changed since Belichick was in Cleveland 30 years ago, is that even remotely true? Here's some advice for the Patriots (I'm sure Belichick is waiting on the edge of your seat): if the local draft guys, including our own Kevin Field (who knocked it out of the park identifying potential Patriots picks), can hit on a lot of your picks because of how you've drafted over 20-plus years, you're not adaptable enough and you're behind where the game has gone, which is what we see on the field from this team on offense and defense — and why they're 25-26 since Tom Brady was forced out the door.
• I still don't get this. The Patriots largely think there's nothing wrong with their defense and approach, brought back basically everyone, didn't change the roles of the coaches — "Why fix what's not broke?" Mayo said recently — and they used their first three picks on that side of the ball. That makes zero sense. If the defense is set and good enough, why use the top three picks all on defense?
• As always, Belichick reverts back to his comfort zone when pressed.
• Speaking of that, this is either funny or sad depending on your viewpoint: The Patriots were sixth in draft assets used on defense, and 21st on offense — which is basically where they ranked statistically last year. Shouldn't it be flipped?

• Worth the risk: WR Kayshon Boutte: While it's my understanding that some teams had an undraftable grade on him due to character concerns, I have little issue with it. Certainly the talent is there and considering where they are at the position, he's worth a sixth.
• Favorite pick: WR Demario Douglas. Been asking for a jitterbug on offense forever and here he is. Love the film and his potential to be a slot/gadget. Little sad it might mean less of Marcus Jones there, but we'll see how it goes.
• They Better Be Right About...: Passing on OT Dawand Jones. There are some medical concerns there, but there's a lot of potential in that big body and I hear he's not viewed as that much of a work ethic risk.
• Guess the roster is a far cry from where the team viewed it in 2007 and 2017 when they basically punted on making selections in those drafts. Those that worked for the team at the time get their back up about the decisions made because they'll tell you the roster was too good to add too much at the top of the draft. Wrong. You can never fall in love with your roster. Two years following both of those drafts, the Patriots underwhelmed and made early playoff exits. More ascending young players could have helped in that regard. 
• These are some of the questions that run through your head after some of these picks: Do the Patriots have reason to believe that David Andrews might be hanging them up at some point in the next year? Have contract extension talks not gone well with Dugger, Uche and Onwenu? Is something amiss in the CB room (like Jack Jones' maturity) where they think they need more coverage (either Jones or Marcus Jones is going to be a fourth cornerback, which is fine but a little odd)? How long until White, who entered college as a TE, is being used like Mike Vrabel on the goal line? Could UCLA G Atonio Mafi switch back to DT — where he started college — with the Patriots (that would make the extra guard pick make more sense)?