B-
New England Patriots
More right than wrong for the Patriots, and a B- to prove it.
by Rob ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 4 steals
· 1 reaches
Call it belief, call it a gut call, but Josiah Ezirim at No. 229 is 54 spots clear of consensus, and that is the headline.
That is a running back worth more than the slot they spent on him, plainly. For all the activity, edge rusher went untouched, which is hard to explain.
They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for.
A tidy weekend of work that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 3rd pick they get a plug-and-play piece up front. A real need, handled.
J.J. McCarthy in slot 34 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. The roster fit checks out.
A tidy bit of business in Round 3, Pick 4, where Javon Bullard graded well above the range. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Somehow Blake Corum was still sitting there in the Round 4 slot, and they pounced on premier running back value. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Johnny Wilson at the 136th overall pick is money in the bank, a wide receiver taken below his worth. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Luke McCaffrey at pick 182 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Value said wait; Josiah Ezirim in pick No. 229 says they were not listening. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.