B-
New England Patriots
Maye is the Patriots' new face under center. Grade: B-.
by Ghost of Ernie Adams ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 2 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development. They moved the roster forward and banked a B- for it.
The Taylor-Demerson steal is the beam this whole class leans on. The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Milton III has a lot of ground to make up just to look fairly priced.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 3 they get their guy under center for the next decade at fair value.
Nothing to complain about; Adonai Mitchell went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid sticker price for Patrick Paul in No. 68, and that is fine. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
A quiet steal in the 103rd overall pick: Dadrion Taylor-Demerson for less than the market said. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Jarrian Jones at slot 137 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.
Value said wait; Joe Milton III in pick No. 180 says they were not listening. It fills a real need, too.
They paid up for Jared Wiley at the 193rd pick when waiting would have done the job. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Good price on Frank Gore Jr. in pick 231, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. A need, and now a little less of one.