FINAL: NFL Draft Day 2 - Patriots stay put, take versatile DE Keion White, S/LB Marte Mapu
What you need to know
WHEN: 7 p.m. (ET) (6 p.m. CT) Friday, April 28, 2023 (Rounds 2-3)
12 p.m. (ET) (11 a.m. CT) Saturday, April 29, 2023 (Rounds (4-7)
DRAFTING: The 2023 NFL Draft will consist of seven rounds with a total of 259 selections. In addition, a total of 37 compensatory choices were awarded.
ON THE CLOCK
Round 2: 7 minutes per selection
Rounds 3-6: 5 minutes per selection
Round 7: 4 minutes per selection
PATRIOTS PICKS AND TRADE VALUE
Values at each spot:
The Patriots did well for themselves trading down and getting CB Christian Gonzalez.
Now it's time to use their draft capital and solve some of their other holes, namely offensive tackle. Dawand Jones is still out there and by far the best left. Their second and 3 fourths would vault them to the top of the second round.
Tight ends are also of great value, with only one going. If the Patriots wanted to go Gronk/Hernandez again, they could go get Darnell Washington and a Luke Musgrave, Sam LaPorta.
Bottom line: Patriots have left themselves options.
QB Hendon Hooker could be good value as well.
PRE-DRAFT PREP
Kevin's draft series
BEDARD'S KEY PLAYERS REMAINING
TACKLES
Dawand Jones, Ohio State (6-8, 374, 5.36, 2nd): He's a lot like Trent Brown, down to the fact that he's an enigma. At times he's sensational, other times he looks like a late-round pick. A lot of questions about his work ethic. Sounds familiar.
Matt Bergeron, Syracuse (6-5, 317, no 40, 2nd): Can start early but his ceiling is very limited. Looks like RT or a guard. Solid in all areas, nasty demeanor, could be a great guard.
Carter Warren, Pittsburgh (6-5½, 314, no 40, 2nd): Nothing flashy about him, but he gets the job done and is rock-solid. Started at LT for four years. Good film.
Projects: Jaelyn Duncan, Maryland; Blake Freeland, BYU.
TIGHT ENDS
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State (6-6, 251, 4.56, 1-2): Coming off a season-ending knee injury but his film is terrific as far as a weapon in the pass game. Great agility, willing blocker. Durability only concern.
Sam LaPorta, Iowa (6-3, 246, 4.60, 2): Top "move" TE in this class. Great athlete and route running. Almost a big slot at times. A zone defense killer. Love his versatility.
Darnell Washington, Georgia (6-6½, 268, 4.63, 2): All upside ... and bust possibility. All the skills are there in all facets to be a great two-way TE, but that's a big projection. Why didn't he dominate more in college? Could have been the offense and the fact that Brock Bowers was the star in the pass game. Isn't close to a great blocker yet.
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame (6-4½, 252, no 40, 2): Looks the part but doesn't do anything exceedingly well. Rock-solid in all phases. Not a mismatch guy.
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State (6-4½, 254, 4.73, 2-3): On film, one of the closest players I've seen to Rob Gronkowski in all facets. Does everything well. Nick Saban offered him an NIL to go to Bama and he turned it down.
Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan (6-5, 252, 4.62, 2-3): Very similar to Mayer in that he's good in all phases, probably a better blocker right now. Ideal for Shanahan system. Type of guy who will play for 10 years in the league.
Josh Whyle, Cincinnati (6-6½, 249, 4.70, 2-3): Straight-line athlete, good after the catch. Move TE.
ATHLETIC LINEBACKERS
Drew Sanders, Arkansas (6-4 1⁄2, 236, 4.65): Alabama transfer. Versatile tweener.
Trenton Simpson, Clemson (6-21⁄2, 234, 4.45): Testing freak. Tape doesn't match.
LB DeMarvion Overshown, Texas (6-2 ½, 231, 4.56, 2): Converted safety is just learning the position but has great instincts.
LB Daiyan Henley, Washington St (6-0, 228, 4.57, 2-3): Just a tackling machine. Former HS QB and WR/CB in college. High ceiling.
RECEIVERS
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee (6-0, 180, 4.38, 2): One-trick speed pony. A very poor man's Brandin Cooks ... with development.
Josh Downs, North Carolina (5-9, 174, 4.41, 3): Good, smart and tough player, but nothing special to his game at NFL level.
*Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi (6-1½, 220, 4.39, 2-3): Might not play to his timed speed and wind up being a big slot, but he's a damn good player all-around. He has some upside and could surprise people. Like him a lot, more than many of the others. Low bust rate.
*Jayden Reed, Michigan State (5-11, 187, 4.45, 2-3): Very productive slot receiver with downfield ability. Good film.
*Tyler Scott, Cincinnati (5-10, 177, 4.42, 2-3): His film is jaw-dropping, sort of how I felt watching CB Tariq Woolen last year. Plays WAY faster than his timed speed. Explosive, sudden from the slot. What's wrong with him?
CORNERBACKS
DJ Turner, Michigan (5-11, 179, 4.26, 1-2): Fastest guy at the combine has unreal recovery speed. Not the greatest tackler and struggles at the top of routes.
Cam Smith, South Carolina (6-0½, 183, 4.37, 1-2): Not the strongest guy and there are worries about his makeup, but this is CB, they all have some screw loose. Great athletic profile and instincts.
Joey Porter, Penn State (6-2½, 196, 4.41, 1-2): Great size and physicality, but a little too grabby and is tight in the hips. Perfect cover 3 corner.
Kelee Ringo, Georgia (6-1½, 209, 4.38, 2): Big and thick so he can matchup with bigger receivers, but his change of direction is lacking. He's only 20. Might be a better safety.
Darius Rush, South Carolina (6-2, 198, 4.35, 2): Converted WR did well at the Senior Bowl. Long arms and fast. Needs development but diamond in the rough.
Josh Brents, Kansas State (6-2½, 198, 4.52, 2-3): Awesome length and athletic ability. Similar to Porter but I'd rather have Brents a little lower.
Riley Moss, Iowa (6-1, 193, 3): Really like him for the Patriots. Their type of guy. Kevin Field nailed it — Team captain and won Iowa's "Team Hustle Award" for his work on defense and special teams. He started 38 games at Iowa and was 2x All-Big 10, DB of the Year in 2021, and owns the Iowa state hurdling record. He has excellent quickness, COD (6.6 3C), and obvious leaping ability. He'll be able to play above the rim with bigger corners. A clean bill of health will be important (lost 4 games last year because of knee). I am sure he did well in the interview room and he's a coachable, program fit for the Patriots. I thought he looked good at Senior Bowl - instinctive, fast, and willing to support the run. Worth noting, he had 13 career turnovers, 3 of which went for TDs. Iowa plays press but largely a zone scheme with some man mixed in. He's a solid player that should be an NFL contributor, but the question is where? Like Devin McCourty, he could start at corner, but I think he has a higher ceiling at safety.
OTHER GUYS I LIKE
QB Hendon Hooker: I would think long and hard about him.
RB Deuce Vaughn, Kansas St (5-5, 179, Day 3 pick): A Darren Sproles copy. Team captain and good bloodlines.
S Marte Mapu, Sacramento St (6-3, 221, Day 3): Converted CB is still learning and could end up being a linebacker.
DE Keion White, Georgia Tech (6-5, 285, 2-3): Former TE has a great motor and has upside as an athlete. Someone you can work with and develop.
KEVIN FIELD'S BEST AVAILABLE
I thought it was a great first night for the Patriots. They addressed a huge position of need with an athletic outside corner. A physical profile that this roster doesn’t have. Also, we dinged them last year for the way they read the board. I think they deserve a ton of credit for reading it right this year, allowing the Steelers to come up (ahead of the Jets who likely wanted Broderick Jones). I would have been comfortable with a number of players at 17. Smart work by the Pats.
The Patriots have drafted more players from Michigan than any other school (24). They have a number of solid prospects at positions of need (NT, CB, TE, WR, DE, K). Speaks to the respect that the Patriots have for Jim Harbaugh’s program and their player development.
On the other hand, Ohio State hasn’t been a program they’ve tapped very much. I do like some of the Buckeyes this year and it’s a program that has done well developing NFL players. They’ll have at least 3 first-rounders and they could have another 3 players that go tonight.
I expect teams to go on a run with TEs, WRs, and iOL tonight. You’ll see Will Levis and Hendon Hooker drafted in Round 2 but I don’t expect another one until tomorrow.
Regarding the CBs, we talked about two tiers (1 & 1A) and that if the Patriots wanted a corner they needed to target the first 2 rounds. I expect the other CBs in the Round 2 range to be a commodity early in the draft. Hopefully that works in the Patriots favor.
OT Dawand Jones (Ohio St) was my top guy in the preseason (ahead of teammate and #6 pick Paris Johnson Jr.) but the off-field questions had me drop him to fourth in the position. Teams go really deep in the background (as they should). In our write-up on him I finished it with “The good news is that the Patriots will get answers to those questions. If they pick him, it’s because they are comfortable.”
I like Jaelyn Duncan (Maryland) and Blake Freeland (BYU) as draft and develop players.
TIGHT ENDS
Michael Mayer, Notre Dame (6-4½, 252): He’s just a good football player. Don’t expect him to be there at 46.
Sam LaPorta, Iowa (6-3, 246, 4.60): I’d be delighted if they grabbed in Round 3. Might not get there.
Brenton Strange, Penn St (6-4, 253, 4.7): Underrated in my eyes. Versatile TE who would have been an All-America if he returned to school.
Darnell Washington, Georgia (6-6½, 268, 4.63): I think he will be there at 46. I’d be okay with this one because he’s so unique.
Luke Musgrave, Oregon State (6-6, 251, 4.56): First-round talent, Day 3 health.
Luke Schoonmaker, Michigan (6-5, 252, 4.62): I think he could develop into a NFL starter with time and health.
Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State (6-4½, 254, 4.73): I had him #4 in the preseason but he got hurt. He’s a decent player who I’d have higher in a normal year but I don’t think he’s as good as former Jackrabbit, Dallas Goedert.
RECEIVERS
Jayden Reed, Michigan State (5-11, 187, 4.45): Hardest WR to cover at the SB. He’s also a returner which will help keep Marcus Jones healthy.
Jonathan Mingo, Mississippi (6-1½, 220, 4.39): Hopefully he's the next in line of powerful, fast, and athletic WRs from Ole Miss (A.J. Brown, DK Metcalf).
Cedric Tillman, Tennessee (6-3, 213, 4.54): Solid possession receiver on the outside and the future replacement to DeVante Parker.
Kayshon Boutte, LSU (5-11, 195, 4.5): Roll of the dice with high ceiling and a low floor.
Josh Downs, North Carolina (5-9, 174, 4.48): I’ve been asked about him so wanted to share here. He’s a true slot and a dynamic playmaker. Raised in a military family (father was also a coach) he has good speed and great COD. He’s going to be limited to just the slot at the next level (almost all of his snaps originated from there). Mostly due to his size. He’s coming from a very simple offense (with good QBs) where he was the primary target so he had tons of production. I thought he had good hands but size and ability to withstand punishment inside is the biggest concern. We wrote him during the 2021 season.
ATHLETIC LINEBACKERS
LB Daiyan Henley, Washington St (6-0, 228, 4.57): I’m a fan. Best LB at the Senior Bowl and still ascending. He doesn’t have their ideal size.
S/LB Marte Mapu, Sacramento St (6-3, 221): One of my middle round favorites. Mapu is a missile in the run game, he’s a long athlete with quick play recognition, and he could be a match-up asset for the Patriots.
LB Nick Herbig, Wisconsin (6-2, 240, 4.65): He’ll require a position change but he’s a football player. Flashed every time I watched the Badgers.
LB Trenton Simpson, Clemson (6-2 1⁄2, 234, 4.45): They could see some Jaime Collins in him, he certainly is athletic enough to help their defense. I have not been as high on him, he wasn’t great against the pass and he’s an athlete that needs to see it vs. feel / know it. Depending how far he drops it could tilt in his favor.
DEFENSIVE LINE
DE Keion White, Georgia Tech (6-5, 285): Middle of round 2 starts to become good value. Not a Pro-Bowl player but could be a 7-10 year guy. Love how he matches his athleticism with his effort.
OLB Isaiah Foskey, Notre Dame (6-5, 264): He has the makeup and skills to become a plus starter in the NFL. This would be great value in Round 3.
DT Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin (6-4, 309): His size, traits mean he may be able to play all over the line of scrimmage as he develops. His best football is still in front of him.
DT Zacch Pickens, South Carolina (6-4, 291): He cut weight in the offseason and so there's a question of his fit in a two-gap scheme, but he was awesome at the Senior Bowl. I thought he was consistently the best DT in Mobile. He has the upside to be a good starter.
OLB Derick Hall, Auburn (6-3, 254): A guy that’s a little outside their mold but I think he could be a double digit sack guy.
SAFETY
Riley Moss, Iowa (6-1, 193): Greg put the write-up above. I’d love this move.
Others I’d consider. Jammie Robinson (FSU), Chris Smith (Georgia), Daniel Scott (Cal) Jordan Battle (Alabama).