B
New England Patriots
The Patriots let Rouse fall into their laps, and walked away with a B.
by Bigbook ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 4 steals
· 0 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Patriots watched Walter Rouse slide 30 picks past his grade and did not hesitate. More right than wrong, and a B to match.
They punted on interior defensive lineman, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. They squeezed a little extra out of every move they made. They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the interior defensive lineman spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 3 they get a difference-maker at receiver. Exactly the need they had to hit.
J.J. McCarthy in slot 34 lands just on the right side of the ledger. It fills a real need, too.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Brian Thomas Jr. at No. 35 is the proof. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They let Gabriel Murphy come to them and pounced at pick No. 103. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
No edge and no loss on Trevor Keegan in the Round 5 slot; it is a wash and a sensible one. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Jaheim Bell is a better player than the 180th pick suggests; smart patience, rewarded. The roster fit checks out.
A offensive lineman of that caliber at Round 6, Pick 18 is the definition of value, full stop. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
No drama and no debate, Edefuan Ulofoshio went about where he belonged in the 231st overall pick. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.