B+
New England Patriots
A franchise passer in McCarthy headlines a B+ weekend for the Patriots.
by Rob ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 1 steals
· 4 reaches
The one hole that towered over the rest is filled. The Patriots spent their marquee pick on J.J. McCarthy, and for the first time in a while there is a real answer at quarterback. No fireworks, but a solid B+.
They banked enough surplus on Nubin to cover a lot of smaller sins. The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend.
If Jones pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about. They punted on tight end, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 32 they get the face of the franchise, reach and all.
They left a pile of value on the table to take T'Vondre Sweat this early at pick No. 34. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They barely believed it either: Tyler Nubin still on the board at the 64th pick. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Blake Corum at No. 68 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. The roster fit checks out.
They paid a round early for Darius Robinson in slot 104, more than the board wanted. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
No edge and no loss on Luke McCaffrey in pick 136; it is a wash and a sensible one. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Value said wait; Christian Jones in the Round 6 slot says they were not listening. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Josh Wallace at the 229th overall pick is a sensible buy, a touch better than market for the cornerback. A minor need, but a need all the same.