Silver Lining: New England Patriots Move Up in NFL Draft Order After Loss to Indianapolis Colts
The New England Patriots haven't found themselves looking ahead to the NFL Draft in over 20 years. Unfortunately, 2023 is different.
At 2-8, the Patriots are at the bottom of the AFC standings for the first time in ages. From quarterback struggles to injuries on defense to special teams nightmares, almost anything that could've gone wrong in New England has indeed gone sideways. It's a strange feeling for a team that had dominated the league for so long.
If there's any positives to take away from the Patriots' current predicament, it's the fact that they'll have a high draft pick next April. According to Tankathon, New England currently holds the No. 3 overall pick after Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany.
Top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Left to right: Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers and North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.
The two teams ahead of the Patriots are the Chicago Bears, who hold the 1-8 Carolina Panthers' first-round pick after a blockbuster trade last year, and the 2-8 New York Giants. Some outlets also place the 2-8 Arizona Cardinals ahead of the Patriots, but Tankathon gives New England the edge.
The Patriots have no shortage of areas where they could improve, but most experts predict them to take a quarterback to replace the struggling Mac Jones. With the Bears and Giants ahead of the Patriots, though, it's very possible that the top two quarterbacks in the class, USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye, won't be available when they are on the clock. There are other quality options under center, but if New England wants one of the two crown jewels of the draft, it'll have to earn it.
Other positions of need for the Patriots include receiver and offensive line, and luckily for them, there are great options at both. At receiver, Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr., son of Colts legend Marvin Harrison Sr., is widely seen as the best prospect at his position in years. Up front, Notre Dame's Joe Alt and Penn State's Olu Fashanu are both projected top-10 picks who could bring some much-needed stability to New England's offensive line.
While the 2023 season may be miserable for the Patriots faithful, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel in the form of a future franchise cornerstone, hopefully.
