B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots answered their biggest question with Maye. Grade: B-.
by NE4EVER ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 2 reaches
The Patriots spent the pick that matters most on Drake Maye, and a roster that has been waiting on a passer can start to take shape.
They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. If Wiley pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about.
The Worthy steal is the beam this whole class leans on. They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
Bottom line, more hits than misses and a roster nudged the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 3rd overall pick they get a passer to set the clock by at fair value. A real need, handled.
Fair-plus on Cooper DeJean, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They let Xavier Worthy come to them and pounced at the 68th pick. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Matt Goncalves in Round 4, Pick 3 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Isaiah Adams in the Round 5 slot is fair value, right on his grade. A need, and now a little less of one.
Jha'Quan Jackson at No. 180 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Jared Wiley at slot 193 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. It fills a real need, too.
Dominique Hampton in pick No. 231 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.