B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots did the meat-and-potatoes work well: B-.
by stan ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
The Benjamin Yurosek pick is the one that will follow the Patriots into the fall. They took him 42 spots ahead of his grade, and the board is not shy about saying so.
They covered a lot of ground and still skipped edge rusher, which is a strange place to end up. That Fiske pick is the receipt they will wave around later.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 2 they get a plug-and-play piece up front at fair value.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Brian Thomas Jr. in pick 34, miles early. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They went early on D.J. James in the 66th pick, and the value did not follow. It adds depth where they could use a little.
A market-rate safety, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Beau Brade. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Ray Davis in the 139th overall pick lands just on the right side of the ledger. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Braden Fiske in pick No. 180 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Omar Speights in slot 189 is a reach so steep the board needed a second look to believe it. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Benjamin Yurosek at Round 7, Pick 3 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A need, and now a little less of one.