B
New England Patriots
Maye is the Patriots' new face under center. Grade: B.
by Bigbook ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 8 steals
· 0 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development.
The Wilson pick alone nudges the whole weekend up a notch. A whole weekend of picks and edge rusher is somehow still a want.
The dealing nudged the ledger their way without much fuss.
Good work on the whole, with edge rusher the one box left unchecked.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 5 they get a long-term answer under center. A clean fit for the roster.
The board had Troy Fautanu higher than slot 34, and the offensive lineman fell to them anyway. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Brian Thomas Jr. slipping to pick 37 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Devontez Walker. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They took Cade Stover at par in the 69th pick, which is nothing to complain about. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Khyree Jackson in No. 103. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They read the board right and Isaac Guerendo was the payoff at pick No. 137. A need, and now a little less of one.
Steal is underselling it; Cam Hart at the 140th overall pick is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Stacking talent where they were already deep.
Johnny Wilson at the 180th overall pick is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Malik Mustapha at No. 193 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Circle this one: Johnny Dixon at pick No. 231 is a fall that decides a draft. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.