C
New England Patriots
The Patriots won the night they stopped Hopper from sliding. Grade: C.
by SEAN ROMIZA ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 1 steals
· 5 reaches
You could see the war room lean forward. Ty'Ron Hopper at No. 229 is the sort of fall that does not happen, except it just did.
The trade table is where this weekend went wrong. The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
The Rice reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade.
Hit on Olumuyiwa Fashanu and the swing picks, and this ages a lot better than it grades today.
Pick-by-Pick
In the 15th overall pick they get a blindside protector. A real need, handled.
They paid sticker price for J.J. McCarthy in the 34th pick, and that is fine. A need, and now a little less of one.
A straight-up fair deal on Roman Wilson at slot 46, value and slot in agreement. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
They reached a country mile for Brenden Rice at pick No. 68, and the board is aghast. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
They paid up for Bucky Irving at the Round 3 slot when waiting would have done the job. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
They talked themselves into Ben Sinnott at pick 104, and the board did not agree. The roster fit checks out.
They paid a round early for Roger Rosengarten in No. 136, more than the board wanted. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
A premium they did not need to pay, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint a notch or two before his time. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
Steal is underselling it; Ty'Ron Hopper at the 229th pick is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.