B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots worked the phones like thieves and earned a B+.
by Yandie ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
The Patriots ran the phones like sharks, prying loose value on deal after deal until the ledger was lopsided. A sturdy weekend that grades out a B+.
For all the activity, edge rusher went untouched, which is hard to explain. They are betting Bethune proves the room right and everyone else wrong. The Johnson value carries more weight than any single miss elsewhere.
A competent weekend that does not make headlines and does not need to.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 3 they get a No. 1 receiver at fair value. The biggest hole, addressed.
Fair-plus on Kingsley Suamataia, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
No drama and no debate, Cooper Beebe went about where he belonged in the Round 3 slot. The roster fit checks out.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Brenden Rice in the 104th overall pick. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They read the board right and Johnny Wilson was the payoff at pick No. 136. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid up for Jarrian Jones at Round 5, Pick 2 when waiting would have done the job. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Dillon Johnson slid further than he should have, and pick 182 is lovely value for the running back. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Tatum Bethune at slot 229 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.