New England Patriots draft needs: Which way should Bill Belichick go to avoid 2022 failure?

The New England Patriots have missed the postseason in two out of the three seasons since the GOAT, Tom Brady, left the team for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This lack of postseason appearances has dented Bill Belichick's once ironclad legacy, and the most successful coach in NFL history looks human after all.

The 2022 NFL season was arguably the most disappointing in two decades for the Patriots, as the team looked disjointed all season. The Patriots have some gaping holes on their roster, and the best way to fill those holes is via the 2023 NFL Draft. With 11 picks in the upcoming draft, it's time for Bill Belichick to prove his worth as a GM.

What positions do the New England Patriots need to prioritize in the 2023 NFL Draft?

The New England Patriots are short-staffed in several positions, with the following being the most gaping. We will show you the places the Patriots have to prioritize ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft and possible picks for those positions. Just keep reading to find out. We will be going from number five to one.

5. Tight end

The Patriots had the bright idea of trading away Jonnu Smith and replacing him with Mike Gesicki in free agency to combine with Hunter Henry for 2023. Those two weren't extraordinary by any stretch of the imagination last season, and the Patriots should be shopping for their TE of the future.

Among the handful of elite tight ends in this year's NFL Draft, the most innovative option for the Pats would be to select Luke Schoonmaker. Schoonmaker is super athletic and is a solid pass-catching option and blocker, standing at 6-5 and 251 pounds. He's not precisely Rob Gronkowski, but well, nobody is.

4. Defensive line

The defensive lineman position is one of the most important on the gridiron, and having a versatile player there can be the difference between winning and losing close football games. Trust us, the Patriots have lost many close football games in the past three seasons.

The New England Patriots can address their vacuum by selecting Colby Wooden later in the 2023 Draft. Wooden operated as an edge rusher at the NFL Combine but also worked on the interior at Auburn University, giving him the type of versatility Bill Belichick would likely find endearing. Adding Wooden to the DL room with Davon Godchaux and Christian Barmore will be a good idea.

3. Wide receiver

The New England Patriots' issues at wide receiver have been well-documented, as the team hasn't had an elite-level pass catcher since Julian Edelman's heyday. The Patriots signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency, but that's still not enough to compete in the pass-heavy NFL.

Bill Belichick can select some decent wide receivers via the upcoming draft, but none looks more appealing to their system than Cedric Tillman. While the Tennessee Volunteers alum battled injuries, he still possesses a bucket load of potential as a heavy possession receiver in this offense and has drawn comparisons. He could be just what Mac Jones needs in a pass catcher for the next decade.

2. Cornerback

The New England Patriots need an elite cornerback to take their defense to the next level. Just look at the teams that made the postseason last season; all of them had, at least, one shutdown corner putting the clamps on opposing teams' wide receivers.

There are only a few high-ceiling corners in the 2023 NFL Draft, but at least there's a certain Julius Brents who fits the bill for Mr. Bill Belichick. The 6-3 CB out of Kansas State University has rare size and length for the corner position, owning a nearly 7-foot wingspan. He should fit into the Patriots system seamlessly.

1. Offensive tackle

The New England Patriots need an unmovable offensive tackle, which is the most significant need they must address in the 2023 NFL Draft. All the best offensive tackles have been tied up to long-term deals, so there's no way for the Patriots to address this need via free agency, but they can through the upcoming draft.

The New England Patriots can correct this need by drafting Peter Skoronski in the first round, as it's near impossible that the Northwestern University alum is falling any lower than the first round.

Skoronski is as versatile as they come, as he played LT at Northwestern University and allowed just one sack and six pressures last season. He can come in from the first day and elevate the Patriots' offense.