A-
New England Patriots
Carson should have been long gone. The Patriots pounced, and earned a A-.
by diet ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 13 picks
· 4 steals
· 1 reaches
The rest of the league will want that one back. Caelen Carson tumbling to the Patriots in No. 104 is a gift they did not have to think twice about. It holds up to a second look, which is why it earns the A-.
They robbed the room blind at the table, and it lifts the grade on its own. Reaching for Milton III left real value on the table behind him.
The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Job largely done: wide receiver settled and 5 of 8 of the wish list covered.
In the end it comes back to Amarius Mims, and a haul good enough to build on right away.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 19 they get a cornerstone up front. A real need, handled.
No drama and no debate, Xavier Worthy went about where he belonged in the Round 2 slot. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Devontez Walker. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Ja'Tavion Sanders at the 51st overall pick is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
A slide stopped in slot 71, with Ja'Lynn Polk worth more than the price. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Nothing to complain about; Blake Fisher went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. It fills a real need, too.
You do not let a cornerback like Caelen Carson reach Round 4, Pick 4 and blink. They did not. A minor need, but a need all the same.
Joe Milton III at pick 139 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Cody Schrader at the Round 6 slot is the sort of value that quietly wins a weekend. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
By-the-book stuff, Michael Wiley at the 188th pick squarely in line with his ranking. The roster fit checks out.
A quiet steal in slot 224: Jha'Quan Jackson for less than the market said. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They took Brevyn Spann-Ford at par in the 225th overall pick, which is nothing to complain about. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They did well to land Sheridan Jones in No. 226, just ahead of his grade. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.