B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots drew a line under the quarterback search with Maye: B+.
by Kenton ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
Start where it matters. The Patriots took Drake Maye to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one. Call it a sensible B+, earned the boring way.
They won the margins on every swap, and it adds up fast. The interior defensive lineman hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
The Drew Dalman deal gives the class an established piece to lean on.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 8th overall pick they get a franchise quarterback. A clean fit for the roster.
In the 25th pick they get a quarterback's worst nightmare, outstanding value to boot. The biggest hole, addressed.
Troy Fautanu in the Round 2 slot is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A reach for Jalen McMillan in slot 68; a little patience would have been rewarded. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They jumped the gun on Ben Sinnott, taking him earlier than his grade liked. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A conviction pick on Javion Cohen at No. 142 that the board grades a round light. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
A straight-up fair deal on Jaylan Ford at pick No. 182, value and slot in agreement. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Blake Watson in Round 7, Pick 9 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.