C-
New England Patriots
Maye is the Patriots' new face under center. Grade: C-.
by jmano21 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
The Patriots spent the pick that matters most on Drake Maye, and a roster that has been waiting on a passer can start to take shape.
The trades bled value they could not afford to lose. They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. The Jones pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
It is not that Solomon is a bad player; it is that the Patriots had louder needs to answer first.
Bottom line, the swing picks will decide whether this ages well.
Pick-by-Pick
In pick 3 they get a passer to set the clock by at fair value.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Adonai Mitchell. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A straight-up fair deal on Khyree Jackson at No. 80, value and slot in agreement. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
A want over a need in the 102nd pick: Javon Solomon adds an OLB-EDGE while edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots keeps waiting.
Javon Foster in Round 4, Pick 14 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The roster fit checks out.
They took Christian Jones at par in the Round 4 slot, which is nothing to complain about. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Nothing to complain about; Dylan Laube went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Luke McCaffrey at the 166th overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Jalyx Hunt at Round 6, Pick 4 is money in the bank, a S-EDGE taken below his worth. A pick in search of a role on this roster.
They let Elijah Jones come to them and pounced at pick No. 208. Depth on depth, at a spot that was hardly crying out.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Michael Barrett at pick 231. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.