B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots drew a line under the quarterback search with Penix Jr.: B+.
by k ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 12 picks
· 0 steals
· 8 reaches
After circling the position for what felt like forever, the Patriots committed. Michael Penix Jr. is the quarterback now, and the roster gets built to his timeline.
Every board in the league had Zinter lower, and that gap is the story. The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend. If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through safety.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the safety spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 9 they get a long-term answer under center. A clean fit for the roster.
No drama and no debate, Keon Coleman went about where he belonged in the 35th pick. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A real head-scratcher, Zak Zinter in the 41st overall pick is miles ahead of his ranking. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Kalen King in pick 43 is fair value, right on his grade. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Amarius Mims in slot 67 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Luke Lachey at Round 4, Pick 9 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Donovan Edwards in the Round 4 slot, miles early. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They talked themselves into Mike Sainristil at pick No. 140, and the board did not agree. They added to a strength when a need was still open elsewhere.
A market-rate interior defensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on T.J. Sanders. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Jalon Daniels at slot 181 is a clear overpay, with better names still on the board. It fills a real need, too.
They paid up for Erick All at pick No. 224 when waiting would have done the job. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They went early on Kaimon Rucker in the 236th overall pick, and the value did not follow. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.