C
New England Patriots
The Patriots found their guy under center in Maye: C.
by jmano21 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 3 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development. For now it grades a C, with the swing picks left to settle the rest.
Landing Coleman that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. They handed away value on the phones that the picks cannot earn back. Every board in the league had Lovett lower, and that gap is the story.
They will answer for taking OLB-EDGE early while edge rusher, running back and other spots went begging. That edge rusher hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall.
Bottom line, the swing picks will decide whether this ages well.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a long-term answer under center at fair value. A real need, handled.
Tyler Guyton slipping to the 35th pick is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Keon Coleman in pick 68 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Somehow Khyree Jackson was still sitting there in the 102nd overall pick, and they pounced on premier cornerback value. It adds depth where they could use a little.
The eyebrow-raiser of the weekend. They went OLB-EDGE with Javon Solomon while clear needs at edge rusher, running back and other spots sat open.
Fabien Lovett at slot 117 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Value said wait; Brandon Coleman in pick No. 158 says they were not listening. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Luke McCaffrey is a better player than Round 6, Pick 4 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
They did well to land Tyler Owens in the 235th overall pick, just ahead of his grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.