Three players for Patriots to consider on Days 2-3 of NFL Draft
Day 2-3 picks in the NFL Draft often transform rosters. Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks), Brock Purdy (49ers), Isiah Pacheco (Chiefs) and Marcus Jones (Patriots) are a few of the latest examples.
In the 2023 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots will have 10 picks from the second to seventh rounds. The players selected over that two-day period may determine the outlook of the roster for seasons to come.
Here are players who might be on the Patriots' radar.
Rashee Rice, WR, SMU
Rice may not be as well known as Ohio State's Jaxon Smith-Njigba or USC's Jordan Addison, but he has a skillset scouts admire.
In his senior season, Rice had 1,355 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His number of receptions increased from 25 as a freshman to 96 as a senior, and according to NFL DraftBuzz, Rice runs a 4.36 40-yard dash.
The Patriots have had speedy receivers (Tyquan Thornton) and physical receivers (N'Keal Harry), but Rice is a combination of the two.
Deonte Banks, cornerback, Maryland
If impending free agent Jonathan Jones doesn't return, the Patriots will need a corner.
Last year, the Patriots drafted corners Jack Jones and Marcus Jones, and both turned out to be diamonds in the rough. The Patriots can extend their streak of picking gems with Banks.
Banks had only one interception as a senior, but the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder has NFL-level ball tracking and tackling ability. Pro Football Focus ranks him as the 70th-best prospect.
The Patriots do not have a corner as physical and large as Banks.
Michael Turk, punter, Oklahoma
The Patriots uncharacteristically struggled on special teams in 2022, so Turk would be a welcome addition.
Turk, known as "Hangtime" on YouTube, averaged 46.8 yards per punt in 2022. He'd be a significant upgrade from New England punter Jake Bailey, who averaged 42.1 yards a punt in 2022. Turk's touchback percentage of 1.59% shows his reliability.
Turk would likely be selected in the sixth or seventh round due to his position. He will play in the East-West Shrine Bowl, where players will be coached by the Patriots staff.
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