C+
New England Patriots
The Patriots finally solved quarterback, and it carried them to a C+.
by Noah ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 0 steals
· 4 reaches
They finally answered the question that shadows every other one. Jayden Daniels is the Patriots' quarterback, full stop. Fine in stretches, shaky in others: a C+.
They covered a lot of ground and still skipped edge rusher, which is a strange place to end up. Every board in the league had Richardson lower, and that gap is the story. On the needs board they went 6 of 8, with wide receiver the one that mattered most.
The verdict is a shrug for now, with the swing picks left to write the real ending.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 3 they get their guy under center for the next decade. A clean fit for the roster.
Patrick Paul in pick 34 is early enough to raise a brow, if not a full objection. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
A reach for Jalen McMillan in the Round 3 slot; a little patience would have been rewarded. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
No edge and no loss on Khyree Jackson in Round 4, Pick 3; it is a wash and a sensible one. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
By-the-book stuff, Ben Sinnott at the 139th overall pick squarely in line with his ranking. It fills a real need, too.
No drama and no debate, Jaylen Wright went about where he belonged in the 152nd pick. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A market-rate wide receiver, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Javon Baker. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They went early on Jeremy Flax in pick No. 224, and the value did not follow. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They paid a round early for Demani Richardson in the Round 7 slot, more than the board wanted. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.