B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots answered their biggest question with Maye. Grade: B-.
by Caveman ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 3 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to Drake Maye, and the whole operation now runs on his development. It does the job without flash, and the B- reflects it.
They will need Washington to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it. The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer. However the rest shakes out, Hadden at that price is a win they earned.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but edge rusher.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 3rd overall pick they get their quarterback of the future at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
They read the board right and Graham Barton was the payoff at Round 2, Pick 2. A need, and now a little less of one.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Payton Wilson at slot 68 is the proof. A minor itch, scratched.
Christian Mahogany at the Round 4 slot is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Tahj Washington well ahead of where he belonged. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They reached into another round for Ryan Flournoy, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
Kamal Hadden in pick 193 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. Useful body for a position without much behind the starter.
A reach on Bub Means in No. 231; the board had better options right there. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.