B
New England Patriots
The Patriots answered their biggest question with McCarthy. Grade: B.
by the rizzler ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 4 steals
· 1 reaches
They finally answered the question that shadows every other one. J.J. McCarthy is the Patriots' quarterback, full stop. A dependable weekend that grades out a B.
On value alone, King makes the weekend a net positive. The trade ledger is the best part of the whole weekend. Irving has a lot of ground to make up just to look fairly priced.
The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
Nothing here to lose sleep over, and plenty to feel decent about.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 22 they get the arm they will build around at fair value.
They did well to land Tyler Guyton in the 34th pick, just ahead of his grade. The roster fit checks out.
No edge and no loss on Ja'Lynn Polk in the 68th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Bucky Irving this early at the Round 4 slot. A need, and now a little less of one.
Jarrian Jones in pick No. 137 is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
James Williams in pick 180 lands just on the right side of the ledger. It adds depth where they could use a little.
A safety of that caliber at Round 6, Pick 11 is the definition of value, full stop. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Quietly one of the better values of the day, Tahj Washington at slot 193. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They barely believed it either: Kalen King still on the board at pick 231. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.