B-
New England Patriots
A passer of the future in Maye, and a B-, for the Patriots.
by NE4EVER ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 4 steals
· 1 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Patriots spent their marquee pick on Drake Maye, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. Nothing here to lose sleep over; call it a B-.
A whole weekend of picks and edge rusher is somehow still a want. The Patriots indulged a want in Smith while a need in edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots stayed open. The Newton pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
No edge and no loss on Drake Maye in the Round 1 slot; it is a wash and a sensible one. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
A slide stopped in slot 34, with Graham Barton worth more than the price. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Devontez Walker at the 68th overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They bypassed pressing needs at edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots to take Maason Smith, a DT-EDGE that was not the priority.
A tidy bit of business in pick No. 137, where Josh Newton graded well above the range. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Jha'Quan Jackson at Round 6, Pick 5 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Value with a capital V on Ty'Ron Hopper in pick 193, a genuine coup. It thickens a room that could stand to be thicker.
Garret Greenfield is a better player than the 231st pick suggests; smart patience, rewarded. It fills a real need, too.