Tag: draft summary

Patriots move down on draft board in fourth-round trade with Raiders

The Patriots now have a fifth-round pick, thanks to a fourth-round trade with the Raiders.

Coming into the 2023 NFL draft, the New England Patriots didn’t have a fifth-round draft pick. But that changed on Saturday with the team striking up a late fourth-round trade with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Patriots traded the No. 135 overall pick to the Las Vegas Raiders for a fifth-rounder (No. 144) and sixth-rounder (No. 214).

This is the team’s second trade on Day 3 with coach Bill Belichick clearly looking to move around the board, while also stockpiling more draft picks. What else is new?

So far, the Patriots have come away with center Jake Andrews, kicker Chad Ryland and offensive guard Sidy Sow.

The Patriots are still loaded with draft picks and the ability to do whatever they want heading into the fifth round of the event. Will they strike up more trades or continue to load their roster?

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Here’s what Patriots gave up in trade to get Maryland K Chad Ryland

The Patriots were aggressive in getting kicker Chad Ryland.

The New England Patriots came together with the rival New York Jets for a rare draft day trade to move up on the board and select Maryland kicker Chad Ryland.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots sent picks No. 120 and 184 to the Jets for the 112th overall pick in the fourth round.

Ryland was widely recognized as the second-best kicker on the draft board behind Michigan’s Jake Moody, who went 99th overall in the third round to the San Francisco 49ers.

It was clearly time for the Patriots to look to the future with kicker Nick Folk turning 39 years old later this year.

The Patriots have shifted focus to special teams and offensive line in the fourth round on Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft. With Ryland, they hope they’ve secured their kicker of the future.

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Patriots select Eastern Michigan G Sidy Sow in fourth round

The Patriots took offensive guard Sidy Sow at No. 117 overall.

Boosting the offensive line appears to be the focus for the New England Patriots on Day 3 after taking Eastern Michigan guard Sidy Sow with the No. 117 overall pick.

This selection came after the Patriots selected Troy center Jake Andrews with their first pick in the fourth round.

Sow is a feisty interior lineman that Patriots fans are going to fall in love with early. Nothing comes easy when facing off with the Quebec native, who never backs down from a scrap in the trenches.

That should play into the Patriots’ favor considering they want to get meaner and nastier along the offensive front. But more importantly, they want depth when doing so.

Sow should help in both aspects.

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Patriots trade up to select Maryland K Chad Ryland in fourth round

The Patriots trade up for a kicker in the fourth round.

The New England Patriots traded up in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft on Saturday to select Maryland kicker Chad Ryland with the No. 112 pick.

In what has been a mostly defensive draft for the Patriots, the team has gone with offense with center Jake Andrews and now special teams with Ryland to kick-start Day 3.

Ryland was believed to be the second-best kicker in this year’s draft behind Michigan’s Jake Moody. He made 19 field goals out of 23 attempts with Maryland last season, along with posting a 97.5 extra point percentage.

The Patriots traded a fourth-round (No. 120) and sixth-round pick (No. 184) to the New York Jets to move up and get their kicker for the future.

Ryland should have an opportunity to work his way into the mix early and potentially take the reins from veteran Nick Folk.

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Patriots select Troy C Jake Andrews in fourth round

The Patriots finally took an offensive player in the 2023 NFL draft.

The New England Patriots opened up Day 3 of the 2023 NFL draft by selecting Troy center Jake Andrews with the 107th overall pick.

This is the first of nine picks in total for a Patriots team that spent the previous two days focusing on the defensive side of the ball.

Andrews is a versatile offensive lineman with the rare ability to swing between all three interior positions. Sure, he’s listed as a center, but he could easily kick out to guard in a pinch, which is significant for a Patriots team that dealt with injuries along the offensive front throughout the 2022 season.

And that isn’t just talk when it comes to Andrews, who started 15 games at center and 23 at right guard during his run at Troy.

The Patriots spent free agency addressing the depth at offensive tackle, and it appears they are looking to do the same with their interior positions through the draft.

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Twitter had mixed reactions to Patriots drafting Marte Mapu

Twitter had strong reactions to the Patriots drafting Marte Mapu

The New England Patriots took linebacker Marte Mapu out of Sacramento State in the third round with the 76th overall pick at Friday’s continuation of the 2023 NFL draft.

The Big Sky Conference player of the year now makes his way to New England, during a draft that has highlighted the importance of defense for the team.

The Patriots used three draft picks in total on Thursday and Friday—all on the defensive side of the football. Mapu comes to New England with versatility.

Not only was he a tackling machine with the Hornets, but he also came away with two interceptions and six pass deflections. He now gives the Patriots another speedster to boost the defense.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions to the draft selection.

Instant analysis of Patriots picking Marte Mapu in third round

How can Mapu help the Patriots?

The New England Patriots aren’t as concerned about positions as they are good defensive players, and they might have find that in versatile linebacker Marte Mapu.

When watching the tape, the versatility is the first thing that pops for Mapu, who can play linebacker, cornerback and safety. So coach Bill Belichick is going to be able to utilize him in a lot of different ways on the field.

Mapu clearly made an impact in his final year at Sacramento State when compiling 76 tackles, two interceptions and six pass deflections. His ability to make sideline-to-sideline plays is something the Patriots have been looking for in an AFC East division full of explosive offensive playmakers.

Mapu’s name didn’t really pop on the draft board, but he could be one of those hidden gems that turns into a major contributor for the Patriots. Belichick hit a home run in the third and fourth rounds of the 2022 draft by selecting Marcus Jones and Jack Jones.

Here’s to hoping the same is the case with Mapu, especially with the Patriots opting to pick him over adding more firepower to help fix their broken offense.

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Twitter reacts to the Patriots’ selection of Keion White

There was plenty of excitement and a lot of head-scratching over the Patriots’ second-round pick.

The New England Patriots selected Georgia Tech defensive end Keion White in the second round with the 46th overall pick. White is the second draft selection in as many picks on the defensive side of the football for New England.

He showed potential as a rusher for Georgia Tech last season, recording 7.5 sacks in 2022. Now, he will look to add to a Patriots’ defensive unit that was among the league leaders in sacks last season with 54 total.

Twitter was optimistic about New England’s selection, especially with the Patriots having to face a plethora of solid quarterbacks in 2023.

Let’s take a look at some of the best Twitter reactions.

Patriots select Sacramento State LB Marte Mapu in third round

Another defensive pick for the Patriots. This time, it’s Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu at No. 76 overall.

The New England Patriots continued to stockpile defensive players by taking Sacramento State linebacker Marte Mapu with the No. 76 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft.

This is the Patriots’ third straight defensive pick of the draft behind Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez and Georgia Tech’s Keion White.

Mapu closed out his college career at Sacramento State with 76 tackles, two interceptions, six pass deflections and one forced fumble. The Patriots have been looking to get more athletic at the linebacker position, and Mapu is a player that can give them that sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability on the field.

His presence along the defensive front will make the unit even more formidable in the 2023 season.

Defense has clearly been the focus for the Patriots, and while Mapu has the potential to be a great player, one has to wonder if New England has enough firepower offensively for it to even matter.

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Instant analysis of Patriots picking Keion White in second round

Another top defensive talent fell to the Patriots.

The New England Patriots didn’t waste an opportunity to beef up their defensive front (literally) by selecting a massive and insanely athletic defensive end in Georgia Tech’s Keion White.

Opposing quarterbacks on the schedule won’t be sleeping peacefully knowing they’ll soon have White, Matthew Judon and Josh Uche breathing down their necks.

White is a freakish playmaker with the ability to overpower blockers and blow past them with sudden pass-rush moves. One thing is certain: He doesn’t play like a man that weighs 286 pounds.

The Patriots needed to get more athletic up front in an AFC East division full of quarterbacks capable of making throws on the move. White lived in the offensive backfield in his final season with the Yellow Jackets. He piled up 54 tackles, 7.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss.

So he’s clearly the sort of player that can help the Patriots immediately.

The best part for New England is the fact that they already had what many would consider an elite defense last season. Adding White and first-round pick Christian Gonzalez to that mix should make the unit even scarier in 2023.

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