B
New England Patriots
Best value of the weekend goes to the Patriots for Latu: B.
by jgeorge21 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 2 reaches
The board owed the Patriots one, and it paid up: Laiatu Latu, the No. 10 name on the board, sitting there at pick 34 like a gift left on the doorstep.
If this class has a fault line, it runs straight through safety. Every board in the league had Rattler lower, and that gap is the story.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but safety.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 3rd overall pick they get a true top target. The biggest hole, addressed.
Circle this one: Laiatu Latu at slot 34 is a fall that decides a draft. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
They paid sticker price for Patrick Paul in pick 68, and that is fine. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
They paid a round early for Spencer Rattler in pick No. 103, more than the board wanted. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A slide stopped in Round 5, Pick 1, with Johnny Wilson worth more than the price. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Fabien Lovett at No. 180 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They liked Jared Wiley enough to skip the value, taking him in the 193rd pick. The roster fit checks out.
Nice patience on Sheridan Jones, who had no business lasting to the Round 7 slot. A minor need, but a need all the same.