Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN Football Analyst

PICK: Nolan Smith, DE/OLB, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 27, 2023

Kiper's Analysis:
"Smith strikes me as exactly the type of edge defender the Patriots would love to have. He could rack up 10 sacks per season for Bill Belichick & Co. I love this fit."

Click here for Mel Kiper's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Todd McShay, ESPN Football Analyst

PICK: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

LAST UPDATED: April 27, 2023

McShay's Analysis:
"Yes, Skoronski's shorter arm length means he might ultimately kick inside to guard at the next level, but there's no denying his skill set as both a pass protector and run blocker. The Patriots have two older players at offensive tackle -- Trent Brown (30) and Riley Reiff (34) -- and their quarterback struggled under pressure last season, as Mac Jones turned in the NFL's worst QBR in those situations (4.1). This should be a focus for New England on Day 1, and Skoronski is a plug-and-play starter."

Click here for Todd McShay's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media Analyst

PICK: Lukas Van Ness, Edge, Iowa

LAST UPDATED: March 21, 2023

Jeremiah's Analysis:
"Some players just feel like New England Patriots. Van Ness is one of them. Smart, physical and tough.

Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Draft Analyst

PICK: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

LAST UPDATED: April 27, 2023

Zierlein's Analysis:
"The slide is over for Wilson. To be honest, if teams are OK with the Texas Tech product's medicals, he should go much earlier than this. If there is a concern, he could slide. Wilson's size and length are right in the middle of the plate for what Bill Belichick looks for on the edge."

Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports NFL Draft Writer

PICK: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Edward's Analysis:
"New England has taken some smaller, less-heralded cornerbacks but Bill Belichick has always favored long boundary cornerbacks. An offensive tackle would be ideal here but it would be a stretch to take one over Christian Gonzalez, who has the traits to earn a lot of money over the course of his NFL career."

Click here for Josh Edwards full mock draft.

EXPERT: Charles Davis, NFL Media Analyst

PICK: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Davis's Analysis:
"Arguably the top OL in the draft, Skoronski can play tackle or guard and will provide an immediate impact for the Patriots."

Click here for Charles Davis's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Karen Guregian, Boston Herald

PICK: Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Guregian's Analysis:
"Penn State corner Joey Porter Jr. is still available. Wouldn't mind that choice. But if they don't move down, the Pats go with offensive tackle here. Thanks to the tackle-needy Jets moving below them, they get a true stud in Johnson. Not sexy, but still a very good pick."

Click here for Karen Guregian's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Senior Writer

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Prisco's Analysis:
"Jones might have the most upside of all the tackles in this class. He is a smooth tackle who can move in space and excels getting to the second level. He could step in and solve the left tackle spot for the Patriots, a position of need. I think he could also play guard down the road."

Click here for Pete Prisco's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports NFL Writer

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Trapasso's Analysis:
"Jones is a little bit of a project, yet he has massive upside at the left tackle spot."

Click here for Chris Trapasso's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston

PICK: Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Perry's Analysis:
"I believe Banks is a very realistic option for the Patriots at this spot. He's a ridiculous athlete (4.35-second 40, 42-inch vertical). He has real size, which the Patriots desperately need at this position (6-feet, 197 pounds). He can play in a variety of coverages, as he showed while with the Terps.

He can hold his own against top-flight competition, which he proved against Ohio State phenom Marvin Harrison Jr. last year. He's confident. He'll play on special teams -- he saw time at gunner, played on Maryland's kickoff unit and blocked a point-after attempt last season -- which you know the Patriots will weigh."

Click here for Phil Perry's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Evan Lazar, Patriots.com

PICK: Tyree Wilson, Edge, Texas Tech

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

NOTE: Lazar projects a trade to move up to the 11th pick

Lazar's Analysis:
"Taking an edge rusher would be a surprising development for those who aren't paying attention, and I was tempted to take Smith-Njibga here. However, I can't see Belichick trading up for a receiver. Instead, the Pats have hosted Wilson, Georgia's Nolan Smith, Iowa EDGE Lukas Van Ness, and Clemson's Myles Murphy on top-30 visits. They like this edge group, while sub-rusher Josh Uche is in a contract year, and Pro Bowler Matthew Judon is entering his age 31 season. Plus, they now have to face Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, and Miami's high-powered offense six times a year.

My gut says that Belichick would absolutely swoon over the physical tools and three-down versatility that Wilson brings to the table to the point where he might be one of the top prospects on New England's board. But his lack of first-step explosiveness and bend could turn some teams off picking in the top ten. The Texas Tech product has absolutely dominant playing strength with the ability to ragdoll blockers like its varsity against JV. He converts speed-to-power to dent the edge, has excellent size (6-6, 271, 35 ⅝" arms) and upper-body twitch to be an impact run defender, and can reduce inside in the Pats third-down package to get all their dynamic rushers on the field. Imagine a rush package that includes Judon, Uche, Christian Barmore, Deatrich Wise, and Wilson."

Click here for Evan Lazar's full seven-round Patriots mock draft.

EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub

PICK: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Barth's Analysis:
"Reading the tea leaves of the past three months, the Patriots seem to have their eyes on the cornerback class with the 14th pick. In this situation they end up with Witherspoon. While Witherspoon may not quite have the size the Patriots are looking for at 5-foot-11, 181 pounds, he checks every other box for them emphatically. He's a high-IQ cornerback who isn't afraid to play physically against the pass or run, and had outstanding numbers last season highlighted by 14 pass breakups."

Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Danny Kelly, TheRinger.com

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 26, 2023

Kelly's Analysis:
"Jones makes a ton of sense for the Patriots, who head into 2023 with bookend tackles both north of 30 in Trent Brown and Riley Reiff. Jones is relatively raw, but he is highly athletic, has great length, and moves well in both the run and pass games."

Click here for Danny Kelly's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com Analyst

PICK: Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

LAST UPDATED: April 25, 2023

Brooks' Analysis:
"Bill Belichick zigs while the rest of the league zags, taking a running back in the first round. Robinson gives the Patriots an elite RB1 in the backfield to anchor the offense and alleviate some pressure on Mac Jones to carry the unit."

Click here for Bucky Brooks' full mock draft.

EXPERT: Matt Miller, ESPN

PICK: Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

Miller's Analysis:
"The run on offensive linemen has begun and the Patriots don't want to miss out on the action. There are questions about arm length (32¼ inches), but there is no questioning Skoronski's dominance in the run game. Some scouts said he is best suited to play guard in the pros, but the Patriots have a history of going their own way in offensive line evaluations. Remember the Cole Strange pick last year? As an NFC exec told me, "He won't ever be the best tackle in the NFL if you keep him there, but he might be the toughest and the best run-blocker. Skoronski is poised and powerful, and he has fantastic pass-protection technique that helps cover up for his short arms. One offensive line coach said, 'If you have short arms, you better have great feet. He has great feet.'"

Click here for Matt Miller's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Graff, The Athletic

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

Graff's Analysis:
"The closer we get to draft day, the more I think the Pats will seriously entertain trading down. But if they make the pick, I think Jones is the most likely option at this juncture. Offensive linemen Paris Johnson and Peter Skoronski will probably be gone by the time the 14th pick rolls around. Same for corners Christian Gonzalez and Devon Witherspoon. So in that case, I've got the Pats taking Jones, who is one of the most interesting prospects expected to go in the first round. On the one hand, he's coming from a place that has produced a ton of NFL left tackles, and he played really well last season. On the other hand, he's played fewer snaps than any other tackle in this draft class. I think the Patriots would be OK with that since they signed Riley Reiff and Calvin Anderson, options at tackle in case Jones isn't ready to start from the get-go. They could look at Jones as a project who could turn into one of the best players in this draft class."

Click here for Chad Graff's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports Writer

PICK: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

Wilson's Analysis:
"We would've considered Bijan Robinson here had the Eagles not already taken him. Instead, the Pats help Mac Jones by bolstering the offensive line. Wright had Day 3 grades coming into the 2022 season and was dominant for the Vols once he moved to the right side. And he capped that off with a strong Senior Bowl week and pre-draft process. Don't be surprised if he makes his way into the middle of Round 1."

Click here for Ryan Wilson's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Eric Edholm, NFL.com

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

Edholm's Analysis:
"Jones is not a perfect prospect, but he has natural athleticism and appears to have a frame capable of carrying more mass. The Patriots could probably get by without Jones if he's not ready to start immediately, with Trent Brown and Riley Reiff under contract through 2023, but both are in their 30s. If coached up properly, Jones could have Pro Bowl upside."

Click here for Eric Edholm's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Jason McIntyre, Fox Sports

PICK: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

McIntyre's Analysis:
"For all the whiffs by Bill Belichick at receiver in the draft, JSN is a safe option very unlikely not to perform."

Click here for Jason McIntyre's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Walter Cherepinsky, WalterFootball.com

PICK: Nolan Smith, DE/OLB, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 24, 2023

Cherepinsky's Analysis:
"The Patriots have hosted five edge rushers with top-30 visits this spring. The pass rush is an obvious need, given the dynamic passing attacks that exist in the AFC East. Nolan Smith needs to get stronger, but he has great speed off the edge."

Click here for Walter Cherepinsky's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com Draft Analyst

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 21, 2023

Reuter's Analysis:
"New England needs a left tackle, and Jones is just scratching the surface of his potential on the outside. I project the Patriots to trade two fourth-round picks to the Rams (who currently do not possess a selection between Nos. 77 and 167) to snag Brian Branch in the second round if he falls out of the first, like other former Alabama safeties Landon Collins and Xavier McKinney."

Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Michael Renner, Pro Football Focus

PICK: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

LAST UPDATED: April 20, 2023

NOTE: Projects New England trading with Pittsburgh to move back to the 17th pick.

Renner's Analysis:
"Witherspoon was the most productive corner in man coverage across college football last season, which has been the Patriots' bread and butter under Bill Belichick. Witherspoon's addition allows the Patriots to get back to that."

Click here for Michael Renner's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News

PICK: Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

LAST UPDATED: April 20, 2023

Iyer's Analysis:
"Porter checked in taller than expected at the Combine after Gonzalez blazed to the top of the board at the position, Porter has similar size-speed-quickness qualities to be a No. 1 cover corner. The Patriots will love what he can do for Bill Belichick as the son of a former star Steelers edge rusher."

Click here for Vinnie Iyer's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Peter Schrager, NFL.com & GMFB

PICK: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

LAST UPDATED: April 18, 2023

Schrager's Analysis:
"Witherspoon is a top talent and could be off the board within the first eight overall picks. I have him remaining available here ... and the Patriots pouncing. New England could also go with a WR -- and in the scenario I'm sketching out with this mock, they're all still on the board, too."

Click here for Peter Schrager's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 17, 2023

Brugler's Analysis:
"Jones has played the fewest number of snaps among draftable FBS tackles in this class, and there will be some bumps along the way as he develops. But two to three years from now, it wouldn't be surprising if he separates himself as the best tackle from this draft."

Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com

PICK: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

LAST UPDATED: April 11, 2023

Dussault's Analysis:
"After focusing on the needs at cornerback and wide receiver in my first two mock drafts I'm landing on the one that feels the most realistic with my favorite tackle in this class, Broderick Jones. Jones is raw with less than two starting seasons, but he's played on the best team in the best league and has all the other traits with his mean streak, athleticism and youth. Taking a tackle isn't the sexiest pick but with as much promise as Jones has, it's a long-term slam dunk even if there might be some growing pains. With the added free agency depth at the position the team could still afford to ease him in if he needs it, he'll be worth any potential wait. Outside of extensive experience, Jones checks every box necessary for the Patriots and would bring the kind of attitude that would mesh well up front next to Cole Strange, who plays with a similar combination of feistiness and athleticism. The only real question in my mind is if Jones does in fact fall to 14."

Click here for Mike Dussault's full seven-round Patriots mock draft.

EXPERT: Cynthia Frelund, NFL Network

PICK: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

LAST UPDATED: March 30, 2023

Frelund's Analysis:
"It's highly unlikely Witherspoon lasts until No. 14 overall, but if he's still on the board, the Pats jump at the opportunity to team my top-rated CB with Jonathan Jones and Jack Jones. Witherspoon ranks first for me in zone and man-heavy schemes; in other words, he's the least system-dependent corner in this class, per my projections."

Click here for Cynthia Frelund's full mock draft.

EXPERT: Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Analyst

PICK: Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

LAST UPDATED: March 28, 2023

Tannenbaum's Analysis:
"I was impressed with Wright's tape, especially when the 6-5, 333-pounder faced Will Anderson Jr. and neutralized him in Tennessee's huge win over Alabama. Wright allowed just one sack all season and also excelled during Senior Bowl week. The Patriots allowed a sack on 8.0% of their pass snaps, which was the third-highest mark in the NFL last season. New England has not been the same on the offensive front, and although it has signed Riley Reiff, he is not a long-term answer. The Pats have to do a better job of protecting Mac Jones, and Wright would help."

Click here for Mike Tannenbaum's full mock draft.

DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer