B+
New England Patriots
Daniels is the plan now, and the Patriots grade out a B+.
by Biggs7079 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 12 picks
· 6 steals
· 1 reaches
The Patriots spent the pick that matters most on Jayden Daniels, and a roster that has been waiting on a passer can start to take shape.
They banked enough surplus on Rogers to cover a lot of smaller sins. The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. Leaving safety unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
The Melton pick is fine in a vacuum, less so with safety still on the board.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the safety spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 6 they get a long-term answer under center at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
They let Troy Fautanu come to them and pounced at pick No. 34. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
By-the-book stuff, Jonathon Brooks at pick 39 squarely in line with his ranking. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They paid up for Ja'Lynn Polk at Round 2, Pick 31 when waiting would have done the job. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Xavier Legette in No. 68 is fair value, right on his grade. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Marshawn Kneeland in the 87th pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Value with a capital V on DJ James in the 94th overall pick, a genuine coup. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Dominick Puni is a better player than the Round 4 slot suggests; smart patience, rewarded. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A surprising call. With safety still to address, they spent slot 111 on Max Melton, a cornerback they were not short of.
Ben Sinnott at Round 4, Pick 29 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. The roster fit checks out.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Cedric Gray at the 136th pick. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They barely believed it either: Justin Rogers still on the board at the 229th overall pick. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.