NFL Mock Draft: 3 first round mistakes the Patriots cannot afford to make
By Ryan Heckman
First round mistakes the Patriots cannot afford to make in the 2023 NFL Draft: Passing on Quentin Johnston or Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The second mistake New England cannot afford to make is to pass on one of the draft’s top two receivers. If either Quentin Johnston or Jaxon Smith-Njigba are there at 14, then Belichick has to pull the trigger.
Should New England opt to roll with Jones, or even Bailey Zappe, either quarterback will need a legitimate WR1 to throw the ball to. Spoiler alert: it isn’t going to be JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne or even Tyquan Thornton.
Johnston stands 6-foot-3 and has every bit of size and speed needed to operate as an outside, alpha wide receiver. He takes long strides and gets down field in a hurry. He’s an easy pick for the Patriots, if he’s there.
However, if Smith-Njigba is still there as well, Belichick would have to consider the former Buckeye first. He’s widely-regarded as the top wide receiver in the draft, and probably the best overall route runner as well.
The Patriots need a real weapon, and either one of these guys could give them just that, and on a long-term solution as well.