B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots finally solved quarterback, and it carried them to a B+.
by patricksiska ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 15 picks
· 4 steals
· 2 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Patriots spent their marquee pick on Jayden Daniels, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback.
The McCaffrey pick alone nudges the whole weekend up a notch. They robbed the room blind at the table, and it lifts the grade on its own.
A whole weekend of picks and running back is somehow still a want. If Hunt pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 5 they get a passer to set the clock by. A clean fit for the roster.
In Round 1, Pick 27 they get protection for the quarterback at fair value. A real need, handled.
A straight-up fair deal on Adonai Mitchell at pick No. 34, value and slot in agreement. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Fair-plus on Kingsley Suamataia, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
A reasonable price with a little left over, Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the 92nd overall pick. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Max Melton in the 103rd pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. It adds depth where they could use a little.
A market-rate interior defensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Leonard Taylor III. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They paid a round early for Jalyx Hunt in pick 137, more than the board wanted. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Somehow Luke McCaffrey was still sitting there in Round 6, Pick 5, and they pounced on premier wide receiver value. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Kamal Hadden at pick No. 193 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
Ryan Flournoy slipping to the 220th overall pick is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A premium they did not need to pay, Edefuan Ulofoshio a notch or two before his time. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
Tylan Grable at the 227th pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Dominique Hampton in pick 231 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
No edge and no loss on Kalen DeLoach in the Round 7 slot; it is a wash and a sensible one. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.