A-
New England Patriots
Maye is the plan now, and the Patriots grade out a A-.
by Bigbook ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
It is the swing that defines the weekend: Demani Richardson in pick No. 231, a good 83 spots before the room expected him.
They have staked the next five years on Drake Maye, which is the only story that really matters here. The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. For all the activity, interior defensive lineman went untouched, which is hard to explain.
The kind of weekend a front office frames and hangs on the wall.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 4th pick they get their quarterback of the future at fair value. A real need, handled.
They let Amarius Mims come to them and pounced at pick 34. It fills a real need, too.
Fair-plus on Bralen Trice, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They paid sticker price for Devontez Walker in No. 71, and that is fine. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Khyree Jackson at Round 4, Pick 3. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Nice patience on Johnny Wilson, who had no business lasting to the 137th overall pick. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Good price on Cody Schrader in the Round 6 slot, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. A need, and now a little less of one.
Keith Randolph Jr. at the 193rd overall pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Demani Richardson well ahead of where he belonged. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.