B
New England Patriots
Grand theft in the 180th pick: the Patriots steal Pritchett and grade out a B.
by Lewi ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
The Patriots spent the weekend waiting on one name, and it fell: Nehemiah Pritchett, the No. 136 name on the board, in pick No. 180. No fireworks, but a solid B.
They punted on edge rusher, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest. Reaching for Shipley left real value on the table behind him.
On the needs board they went 3 of 8, with wide receiver the one that mattered most.
A competent weekend that does not make headlines and does not need to.
Pick-by-Pick
By-the-book stuff, Malik Nabers at Round 1, Pick 3 squarely in line with his ranking. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Troy Fautanu at pick No. 34 is money in the bank, a offensive lineman taken below his worth. It fills a real need, too.
No drama and no debate, Ja'Lynn Polk went about where he belonged in the 68th overall pick. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
A reach for Will Shipley in the Round 4 slot; a little patience would have been rewarded. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
Cedric Gray at pick 137 is a first-round grade at a bargain-bin price, no notes. A minor itch, scratched.
The board fumbled Nehemiah Pritchett all the way to slot 180, and they scooped it up. It adds depth where they could use a little.
They robbed the room for Josh Newton here, a fall nobody at the table saw coming. A want dressed up as a pick, at a spot they had covered.
Circle this one: Jalen Coker at No. 231 is a fall that decides a draft. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.