The Patriots are set to pick 14th overall in this month’s draft, a position which will give them a number of options to choose from on both sides of the ball. They have recently met with one of the top pass-rushing and pass-catching prospects in the 2023 class. 
New England hosted Georgia defensive end Nolan Smith earlier this week, as detailed by Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. That adds to the widespread interest the highly athletic defender has received in the build-up to the draft, which includes his contributions to the Bulldogs’ national title and an impressive combine performance. The Buccaneers, Ravens and Jaguars have all met with Smith recently, and further visits would come as no surprise given the widespread expectation that he is a first-round lock.
The 6-3, 235-pounder never put up massive pass-rushing numbers during his four years at Georgia, with his best campaign coming in 2021. That year, he racked up 4.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss in 12 games. Smith was limited to just eight contests this season due to a torn pectoral muscle, but still sits near the top of most edge rush prospect rankings. The Patriots ranked fourth in the league in sacks last season, with Matt Judon and Josh Uche each hitting double-digits. Judon is under contract through 2024, but Uche is entering a contract year and could be replaced down the road if they elected to draft Smith.
New England has also had a sit-down with Boston College wideout Zay Flowers, Wilson tweets. Flowers has already taken meetings with the Giants, as well as the Cowboys and Raiders. He is firmly on the first-round radar as one of the most elusive and effective downfield prospects in the class. Interestingly, Wilson reports that multiple NFL teams have graded the 5-10, 177-pounder in the top half of the opening round.
The Patriots struggled on offense in 2022, in no small part due to their lack of efficiency in the passing game. New England signed JuJu Smith-Schuster in a move which should offset the loss of Jakobi Meyers, but an impact addition in the draft should be expected. Flowers – who eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards for the first time in 2022 – could significantly boost a Patriots offense which ranked 26th in the NFL in yards per contest (315) last season.
Given the interest already showed in both Smith and Flowers, New England may face the possibility of both hearing their names called before they are on the clock. If one or both are still available, though, the team will be well-versed in each prospect.