A-
New England Patriots
Larceny in Round 3, Pick 4 lands the Patriots a A-, Rakestraw Jr. and all.
by EMANPATSFAN ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 10 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
The rest of the league will want that one back. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. tumbling to the Patriots in pick No. 68 is a gift they did not have to think twice about.
Reaching for Gore Jr. left real value on the table behind him. They won the margins on every swap, and it adds up fast.
They covered a lot of ground and still skipped interior defensive lineman, which is a strange place to end up.
Add it up and this is about as clean as a draft weekend gets.
Pick-by-Pick
No drama and no debate, Rome Odunze went about where he belonged in the 11th overall pick. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
In slot 23 they get a cornerstone up front at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
Ladd McConkey in the 34th pick is exactly on the number, no argument either way. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Circle this one: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at No. 68 is a fall that decides a draft. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Theo Johnson. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
A market-rate cornerback, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Jaylin Simpson. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
They jumped the gun on Khristian Boyd, taking him earlier than his grade liked. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They took Ty'Ron Hopper at par in pick 180, which is nothing to complain about. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
Frank Gore Jr. in No. 193 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Kimani Vidal in pick No. 231, miles early. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.