B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots left with their quarterback, and a B+ to match.
by Dubblin ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 4 steals
· 0 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Patriots spent their marquee pick on Drake Maye, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. Call it a sensible B+, earned the boring way.
If one pick saves this weekend, it is Smith. The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend. That edge rusher hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall.
Wide receiver is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 4 they get a franchise quarterback. A real need, handled.
In pick 27 they get an anchor for the offensive line, outstanding value to boot. A clean fit for the roster.
They took Xavier Legette at par in the 34th pick, which is nothing to complain about. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Ruke Orhorhoro in the 68th overall pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Jamari Thrash at the Round 4 slot is money in the bank, a wide receiver taken below his worth. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Tykee Smith in slot 136 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A clean, defensible pick in pick No. 182 with a little surplus value in Frank Gore Jr.. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They will replay Daijahn Anthony at No. 229 for years; that is how good the value is. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.