B+
New England Patriots
A masterclass at the trade table lands the Patriots a B+.
by Rob ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
Nobody else had Christian Jones anywhere near pick No. 136. The Patriots did, by 72 spots, and that gap is the whole story. More right than wrong, and a B+ to match.
The dealing alone would carry a lesser class. Leaving edge rusher unaddressed is the roster risk they will have to answer for in the fall. The Tracy Jr. value carries more weight than any single miss elsewhere.
Job largely done: wide receiver settled and 6 of 8 of the wish list covered.
In sum, a sturdy weekend with one asterisk, the edge rusher spot they never got to.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a No. 1 receiver at a price that makes it sweeter. The biggest hole, addressed.
The board had cheaper options than J.J. McCarthy at the 34th pick, and it noticed. It fills a real need, too.
T'Vondre Sweat in pick No. 42 is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Fair-plus on Jonathon Brooks, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
By-the-book stuff, Christian Mahogany at the 80th overall pick squarely in line with his ranking. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Christian Jones at pick 136 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. A need, and now a little less of one.
No drama and no debate, Isaiah Davis went about where he belonged in pick 183. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They read the board right and Tyrone Tracy Jr. was the payoff at Round 7, Pick 3. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Tanner McLachlan at slot 229 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.