B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots worked the phones like thieves and earned a B+.
by Rob ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 5 reaches
The Josiah Ezirim selection is the head-turner. The Patriots reached 61 spots for him, and it will define how this weekend is remembered.
The Alt steal is the beam this whole class leans on. The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend. They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it.
The Will Anderson Jr. deal gives the class an established piece to lean on.
In short, they left a little better than they arrived, which is the whole idea.
Pick-by-Pick
A top-tier offensive lineman at a bargain, Joe Alt in Round 2, Pick 2, plain and simple. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Bo Nix in pick 42. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Christian Mahogany at the 68th pick is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They reached into another round for Johnny Wilson, and the board is nowhere close to agreeing. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A conviction pick on Luke McCaffrey at No. 137 that the board grades a round light. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
They will replay Tyrone Tracy Jr. at the 180th overall pick for years; that is how good the value is. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
They paid up for Ryan Flournoy at pick No. 193 when waiting would have done the job. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
This one needs a full-page explanation: Josiah Ezirim in pick 231, miles early. A need, and now a little less of one.