B+
New England Patriots
Grand theft in the 250th overall pick: the Patriots steal Clark and grade out a B+.
by SD ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 3 steals
· 0 reaches
The best pick of the weekend was also the simplest. The Patriots watched De'Corian Clark slide 38 picks past his grade and did not hesitate. Solid and sensible more than spectacular: a B+.
The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. They covered a lot of ground and still skipped edge rusher, which is a strange place to end up.
Add it up and it is a good, unfussy class.
Pick-by-Pick
Graham Barton at slot 52 is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Johnny Dixon at No. 136 is the proof. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They paid sticker price for Cedric Gray in the 138th overall pick, and that is fine. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
No drama and no debate, Luke McCaffrey went about where he belonged in Round 5, Pick 6. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
A running back of that caliber at the Round 6 slot is the definition of value, full stop. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
Nothing to complain about; Josh Wallace went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
Somehow De'Corian Clark was still sitting there in pick 250, and they pounced on premier wide receiver value. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.