The Patriots haven’t used a first-round pick on a defensive back since 2010 when they drafted the now-retired Devin McCourty at No. 27 overall.
As it stands, Mel Kiper Jr. sees New England bucking that trend April 27.
Kiper on Tuesday put out his latest 2023 NFL mock draft and the veteran analyst had the Patriots using the 14th overall pick on Christian Gonzalez, a cornerback out of Oregon.
“If the Patriots don’t trade down to acquire more capital, I see corner or wideout as the position to target here,” Kiper wrote. “On offense, new coordinator Bill O’Brien has to get quarterback Mac Jones turned around after a disastrous 2022.