B-
New England Patriots
More right than wrong for the Patriots, and a B- to prove it.
by Bigbook ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
Somebody in the 104th pick was going to get robbed, and it turned out to be the rest of the league. The Patriots sat still while Roman Wilson, the No. 79 name on the board, slid all the way to them, then sprinted to the podium. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
The DeLoach reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through edge rusher.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 3 they get an anchor for the offensive line. A real need, handled.
A straight-up fair deal on J.J. McCarthy at Round 2, Pick 8, value and slot in agreement. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Brenden Rice. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They will replay Roman Wilson at the 104th pick for years; that is how good the value is. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Nice patience on Jarrian Jones, who had no business lasting to Round 4, Pick 36. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Will Shipley in slot 137. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Josh Proctor at the 222nd overall pick is daylight robbery; nobody expected him to last. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
No edge and no loss on Josh Wallace in pick 229; it is a wash and a sensible one. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Kalen DeLoach. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.