Patriots draft results tracker: Meet New England’s 2023 rookie class

The 2023 NFL Draft is in the books, and the New England Patriots were quite busy trying to improve a team that went just 8-9 a year ago. They made 12 total selections over the three-day event, addressing some major needs and adding depth in all three phases of the game.

Let’s meet the players they brought aboard, one selection at a time — starting with their first-round choice.

1-17 CB Christian Gonzalez (Oregon): Despite trading down in the first round, the Patriots were still able to secure the services of one of the best cornerbacks in the class. Originally projected to go in the top-10, Gonzalez remained on the board until No. 17. The Oregon product combines prototypical size with enticing athleticism, and projects as a Day 1 starter as an outside cornerback in New England’s defense. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

2-46 DE Keion White (Georgia Tech): White brings a lot of attributes to the table that the Patriots are fond of. He combines impressive size with an enticing athletic foundation, has experience as a six-year senior, and offers positional flexibility as an inside-out defensive lineman. If he lines up at the edge, he will help bolster a group headlined by Matthew Judon and Josh Uche. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

3-76 LB/S Marte Mapu (Sacramento State): Speaking of versatile players: third-round pick Marte Mapu is just that. Playing the “star” role as a linebacker/safety hybrid at Sacramento State, he fits in well with a position room filled with players of a similar mold (Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabrill Peppers). A torn pectoral muscle impacted his pre-draft preparation, but the Patriots have no grave concerns about his recovery. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

4-107 C Jake Andrews (Troy): New England started Day 3 along the offensive line, bringing in Troy’s Jake Andrews. Combining experience and positional flexibility, the 23-year-old will get a chance to sit and learn behind current New England starting center David Andrews — all while providing depth for all three interior positions. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

4-112 K Chad Ryland (Maryland): The best kicker remaining on the board in the middle of the fourth round, the Patriots did not take any chances. They made a trade up the board to grab him, adding some young talent behind veteran Nick Folk. Make no mistake, though: as a fourth-round pick, Ryland should be considered the frontrunner to earn the kicker job in 2023. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

4-117 G Sidy Sow (Eastern Michigan): New England went back to the offensive line with the third of their fourth-round picks. At 6-foot-5, 323 pounds, Sow is a big guy who has experience at both tackle and guard and started a combined 55 games in college. He projects as a developmental depth option along the interior, but the Patriots will not shy away from also giving him snaps at tackle if they see a fit. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

5-144 G Atonio Mafi (UCLA): A former defensive lineman, Mafi moved to the offensive side of the ball in 2020. He went on to start 16 games between the left and right guard positions over the next three seasons at UCLA, and his performance and potential made the Patriots invest in him in Round 5. Mafi needs to be developed, but he offers good size (6’3”, 329 lbs) and upside. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

6-187 WR Kayshon Boutte (LSU): A former five-star recruit, Boutte never quite lived up to the expectations at LSU. His immense talent was on display from time to time, like when he set the SEC single-game receiving yards record as a freshman (14/308/3), but he never consistently put it all together. If he can do that in New England — a rather big “if” based on his college career — the team might just have gotten itself one of the steals of this draft. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

6-192 P Bryce Baringer (Michigan State): Following the Jake Bailey fiasco, the Patriots entered the draft in need of punter help. They addressed it by selecting arguably the best one available: Baringer has a powerful leg and should have the inside track at the position; he will compete against fellow offseason addition Corliss Waitman. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

6-210 WR Demario Douglas (Liberty): The second wide receiver drafted by New England, Douglas is an explosive athlete who makes up for his lack of size with some impressive speed and agility. A standout performer at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he was coached by the Patriots’ staff, he will compete for a slot receiver role at the next level. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

6-214 CB Ameer Speed (Michigan State): The appropriately-named Ameer Speed offers just that. Running a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds, he can fly down the field. The Patriots will likely try to take advantage of this ability by using him extensively on their kick coverage teams — hopefully providing much-needed special teams boost. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade

6-245 CB Isaiah Bolden (Jackson State): Bolden is a project at the cornerback position, but his athletic profile certainly is an intriguing one. Standing at 6-foot-2, 201 pounds, he ran a 4.33-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day and had a 38-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-9 broad jump. His strong athletic makeup gives him and the team a good foundation to build on. | Report | Analysis | Profile | Instant grade