B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots answered their biggest question with Maye. Grade: B-.
by jim1981 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 0 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development. No fireworks, but a solid B-.
McCaffrey falling to them is the kind of break a good board is built to catch. Leaving interior defensive lineman unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a passer to set the clock by at fair value.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Jordan Morgan. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Devontez Walker in slot 68 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Mike Sainristil at pick 103 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
A tidy bit of business in the 137th pick, where Theo Johnson graded well above the range. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
Taking Luke McCaffrey in pick No. 180 is close to grand larceny; a wide receiver that good had no business lasting this long. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A straight-up fair deal on Myles Cole at Round 6, Pick 18, value and slot in agreement. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Frank Gore Jr. at No. 231 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.