NFL Draft Prospects Patriots Must Target After 2023 Shrine, Senior Bowls

The New England Patriots' coaching staff spent last week as the coaches for the West team in the East-West Shrine Bowl, which took place Thursday. So the Pats got an up-close look at some of the players who they may consider taking in the 2023 NFL draft.

That wasn't the only notable pre-draft event that occurred in recent days. On Saturday, other top prospects took part in the Senior Bowl, another event where they can showcase their skills in a game setting.

New England owns eight picks in this year's draft, including the No. 14 overall selection. So it has the potential to bring in a strong rookie class that could help the team improve after it missed the playoffs this past season.

Here's a look at several standout performers from the East-West Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl who could end up as top targets for the Patriots in the 2023 NFL draft.

Isaiah Moore, LB, NC State

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RALEIGH, NC - SEPTEMBER 17: Isaiah Moore #1 of the NC State Wolfpack looks on during their game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Carter-Finley Stadium on September 17, 2022 in Raleigh, North Carolina. NC State won 27-14. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

A standout performer for much of his five-year career at NC State, Isaiah Moore could be a strong addition to a New England linebacker corps that may lose Raekwon McMillan and/or Mack Wilson in free agency. And it appears the Patriots came away from the East-West Shrine Bowl impressed with Moore, according to NFL Network analyst Bucky Brooks.

"Isaiah Moore has been one of the stars of the week," Brooks said on the game broadcast, per Zack Cox of NESN. "The coaching staff couldn't stop raving about him. All week, it was about the leadership, the communication, how he took command of the huddle. He came away with rave reviews for his work this week."

Moore was part of a West defense that held the East team to three points in the Shrine Bowl. Before that, he had an impressive season for the Wolfpack, recording 82 tackles (including a career-high 15 for a loss) and three sacks in 13 games.

Having served as a captain for three of his seasons at NC State, Moore has the potential to develop into a leader in the center of the Pats defense, should they be successful in landing him. With what he showed on Thursday, it could be wise for New England to try its best to make that happen.

Tyrus Wheat, LB, Mississippi State

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STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI - OCTOBER 08: Tyrus Wheat #2 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Patriots already have a strong pass rush, as they had 54 sacks during the 2022 season, which was tied for the third most in the NFL. But if they added a player like Tyrus Wheat to the mix, that unit could potentially become even stronger.

Wheat, who was also part of the West's strong defense in the Shrine Bowl, began his collegiate career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. But he transferred to Mississippi State for his final three seasons, immediately becoming an impact player for the Bulldogs.

Over his three-year tenure in Starkville, Wheat had 129 tackles and 17 sacks in 34 games. He may only become even more of a force on the edge as he continues to improve and once he gets comfortable in the NFL.

According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Patriots were "enamored" with Wheat during the leadup to the Shrine Bowl. So maybe he'll end up playing his home games in New England in 2023.

Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford

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MOBILE, AL - FEBRUARY 04: Wide Receiver Michael Wilson #4 from Stanford from the National Team avoids being tackled by Miami Tyrique Stevenson #8 of Miami from the American Team during the 2023 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on February 4, 2023 in Mobile, Alabama. The National defeated the American 27 to 10. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)

New England's receiving corps could use an upgrade, and it will especially need one if the team loses either Nelson Agholor or Jakobi Meyers in free agency. One playmaker who stood out during Saturday's Senior Bowl was Stanford wideout Michael Wilson.

The former Cardinal standout helped lead the National team to victory by notching four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. That score came on a 44-yard strike from former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener in the fourth quarter.

Wilson didn't put up huge numbers during his five-year career at Stanford, and he was limited to 10 games over his final two seasons due to injuries. But he was productive when he was on the field in 2022, recording 26 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns in six games.

It's possible the Patriots will address their need at wide receiver early in the draft. But they may look to add more than one, and if that's the case, Wilson could be a great mid-to-late-round target, especially if he continues to boost his stock like he did at the Senior Bowl.