Morning Sports Update

The Patriots could make some much-needed upgrades on offense in the upcoming draft.

Patriots mock draft update, part 1,000: Though the NFL draft is still two weeks away, Patriot fans could be forgiven for possibly beginning to feel some mock draft fatigue as the ongoing speculation has stretched out over several months.

Ever since it became (painfully) clear that New England was only contending in 2023 for a top draft pick, eyes have strayed with growing curiosity towards the 2024 NFL Draft (which begins on April 25). The Patriots hold the third overall pick.

Yet despite all of the pre-draft coverage, little has been said about the team’s options beyond the first round. Mock drafts have historically tended to focus on the top picks, which admittedly offers some fascinating potential choices for New England this year.

ESPN’ Mel Kiper Jr. gave a glimpse at one possible Patriots pick beyond the first round in his latest mock draft. The longtime draft guru projected both first and second round picks.

In the first round, Kiper has the Patriots picking quarterback Drake Maye third overall.

“Evaluating quarterbacks is hard, but I have a top-10 grade on Maye, who is an elite deep-ball thrower,” Kiper wrote.

In the second round (34th overall), he forecasts the Patriots could pick a wide receiver. Specifically, Kiper projected Florida State playmaker Keon Coleman would end up in New England.

Coleman, who turns 21 in May, hauled in 11 touchdowns in 2023. He could provide an option for Maye (or whoever is quarterback for the Patriots in 2024) both downfield and in the red zone.

“Coleman doesn’t have great speed, but he can win contested catches with his 6-3 frame,” said Kiper.

Trivia: Who has the most career receiving yards of any Patriots second-round pick in team history?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Scores and schedules:

On Wednesday, the Red Sox squandered a 5-0 lead in a 7-5 loss to the Orioles. Boston hosts Baltimore again this evening at 7:10 p.m.

Today, the 88th edition of The Masters begins at Augusta National Golf Club, though inclement weather has delayed the start.

And tonight, the Celtics face the Knicks at TD Garden at 7:30 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

If you missed it: Here’s Terry Francona narrating a piece about the life and immense legacy of Tim Wakefield (it originally aired on MLB Network on Opening Day).

On this day: In 2018, Joe Kelly and Tyler Austin brawled after the Yankee first baseman spiked Red Sox infielder Brock Holt while sliding into second base earlier in the game.

When Kelly returned the favor with a fastball into Austin’s back, the latest chapter in the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry took a (briefly) violent turn.

New York won 10-6 that day, but Boston would win the ultimate prize that season with another World Series championship.

Daily highlight: Rangers first baseman Christian Encarnacion-Strand made an off-balance diving catch over the tarp in a 6-2 win over the Athletics on Wednesday.