A-
New England Patriots
The Patriots left with their quarterback, and a A- to match.
by ZS ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 1 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development. Add it all up and it grades out a clean A-.
Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck. For all the activity, edge rusher went untouched, which is hard to explain.
Every board in the league had Johnson lower, and that gap is the story. The Jackson value carries more weight than any single miss elsewhere.
In short, they turned a good board into a better roster, and it shows.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get the face of the franchise. A real need, handled.
Xavier Legette at the 34th overall pick is neither steal nor reach, just the going rate. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Good price on Jordan Morgan in slot 43, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Ruke Orhorhoro in No. 61 is fair value, right on his grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They took Renardo Green at par in pick 74, which is nothing to complain about. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They talked themselves into Theo Johnson at pick No. 103, and the board did not agree. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Khyree Jackson at the 109th pick is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Nice patience on Johnny Wilson, who had no business lasting to Round 5, Pick 1. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.