B
New England Patriots
The Patriots left with their quarterback, and a B to match.
by Rob ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The search is over. The Patriots handed the keys to J.J. McCarthy, and the whole operation now runs on his development.
Landing McConkey that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. The phones were where this weekend was really won. Every board in the league had Flournoy lower, and that gap is the story.
A whole weekend of picks and edge rusher is somehow still a want.
A competent weekend that does not make headlines and does not need to.
Pick-by-Pick
J.J. McCarthy in the 11th pick is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
In No. 23 they get protection for the quarterback at fair value. A clean fit for the roster.
They jumped the gun on Jonathon Brooks, taking him earlier than his grade liked. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
A top-tier wide receiver at a bargain, Ladd McConkey in the Round 3 slot, plain and simple. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Christian Mahogany at pick 103 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They paid a round early for Tyrone Tracy Jr. in pick No. 137, more than the board wanted. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
A big swing on Ryan Flournoy at the 180th overall pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
A tidy little value on Cornelius Johnson in slot 193, a step better than break-even. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They read the board right and Jordan Magee was the payoff at pick No. 231. A minor need, but a need all the same.