B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots finally solved quarterback, and it carried them to a B+.
by jmersh ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 11 picks
· 2 steals
· 5 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development.
Whatever else happened, they won the night they took Rosemy-Jacksaint. They robbed the room blind at the table, and it lifts the grade on its own.
They punted on interior defensive lineman, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but interior defensive lineman.
Pick-by-Pick
They paid sticker price for Drake Maye in the 8th pick, and that is fine. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A straight-up fair deal on Adonai Mitchell at pick No. 34, value and slot in agreement. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
They went early on Max Melton in pick 68, and the value did not follow. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
A slide stopped in the Round 3 slot, with Payton Wilson worth more than the price. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Fair-plus on Cole Bishop, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A reach on Theo Johnson in Round 4, Pick 14; the board had better options right there. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
Johnny Wilson at slot 121 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Justin Eboigbe at No. 140 jumps the queue by a touch more than is comfortable. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They paid up for Tanor Bortolini at Round 6, Pick 5 when waiting would have done the job. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A premium they did not need to pay, Kendall Milton a notch or two before his time. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint at the 231st overall pick is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.