The Patriots have their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye, but their offensive rebuild is just getting started. New England still has holes at left tackle and wide receiver, which de facto general manager Eliot Wolf addressed during a press conference. “I just think we need to support [Drake] any way we can, on the field, off the field,” Wolf said. “We need to add some weapons to the offense. We need to shore up the offense. We need to shore up the offensive line. We have good players already at those positions, but really just increasing the depth and the competition. Like Jerod mentioned, that competition is going to be at every position.” There’s some uncertainty on the line with Chukwuma Okorafor playing left tackle for the first time since college and Cole Strange’s health status unknown to the public. And with Okorafor on a one-year deal, a day-two tackle selection feels inevitable. In terms of weapons, Wolf told reporters during a pre-draft presser last week that the offense lacks an X receiver who can consistently win 1-on-1 matchups outside. One option to fill that hole could be 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who might be on his way out of San Francisco following the team’s selection of Ricky Pearsall. The #49ers at No. 31 select #Florida WR Ricky Pearsall. Does this signal what the future holds for Brandon Aiyuk? Or do they still see him in their future? During NFL Network ‘s live draft show, insider Ian Rapoport mentioned the Patriots and Commanders as potential suitors for Aiyuk, saying one of the teams could package their 2nd-round pick with additional late-rounders to simulate the value of a 1st-rounder. Aiyuk caught passes from 2nd overall pick Jayden Daniels at Arizona State and played alongside Kendrick Bourne in San Francisco, so the connections make sense. New England picks two spots higher than Washington at #34 overall. But if San Francisco allows Aiyuk to pick his destination, one would think he’d want to reunite with his college quarterback and form a monstrous duo with Pro Bowler Terry McLaurin. Deebo Samuel is also reportedly being shopped, but at 28 years old with a lengthy injury history and documented struggles against man coverage, he doesn’t seem like a fit for the Patriots. Another option could be Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who has requested a trade from Cincinnati after being franchise-tagged last month. If New England can’t swing a trade for a big-name wideout, their options at receiver could be scarce. Ladd McConkey, Roman Wilson, and Malachi Corley are talented players, but none are big enough to live on the boundary. AD Mitchell could be a high-risk, high-reward gamble after falling out of the 1st round, but he’d have to get past the Bills and may not be a culture fit for a rebuilding franchise. That leaves Keon Coleman and Troy Franklin, both of whom have drawn comparisons to failed Patriots picks past, as the only 2nd-round prospects with extensive experience outside. Franklin’s thin frame and small hands are admittedly eerily similar to Tyquan Thornton, but Coleman is looser and more dynamic than his typical comp, N’Keal Harry. Still, I think New England would find better value in taking Javon Baker, Ja’Lynn Polk, or Brenden Rice in the 3rd round. The team’s best-case non-trade scenario might be taking their left tackle of the future, ideally following a trade-back. Kinsgley Suamataia and Patrick Paul are high-ceiling prospects who might need a redshirt season but have franchise left tackle potential. Kiran Amegadjie is similarly talented but more of a 3rd-rounder due to his small-school pedigree. Roger Rosengarten doesn’t have the same upside, but due to his excellent athleticism and physicality, he projects as a quality long-term starter once he gains weight. Blake Fisher is the last quality day-two tackle, and he’s drawn significant interest from the Patriots after meeting with them at his pro day and taking a 30 visit. However, I think he’s more of a right tackle. Whichever direction New England decides to take, the team’s place atop each round provides invaluable flexibility to stick and pick or stock up to address more positions. Here are the top wide receiver and offensive tackle prospects still on the board.
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