B-
New England Patriots
The Patriots bet the future on Daniels. The board says B-.
by Sean Romiza ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 2 steals
· 2 reaches
Start where it matters. The Patriots took Jayden Daniels to run the offense for the next decade, and every other decision this weekend bends around that one. It nets out to a B-, which feels about right.
However the rest shakes out, Williams at that price is a win they earned. Reaching for Okie-Anoma left real value on the table behind him. They punted on interior defensive lineman, and it is the miss that keeps the grade honest.
Edge rusher was the priority and it is no longer a question, which is most of the job.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
In the Round 1 slot they get a long-term answer under center at fair value. A real need, handled.
No drama and no debate, Xavier Legette went about where he belonged in No. 34. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Patrick Paul in the 68th overall pick is fair value, right on his grade. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
Brenden Rice at pick No. 103 is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Marist Liufau at Round 5, Pick 1 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A quiet depth add at a thin-ish spot.
James Williams in slot 180 is the kind of fall that makes a whole class. A luxury on a unit that was already in good shape.
You do not let an offensive lineman like Trevor Keegan reach pick 193 and blink. They did not. It shores up a spot that genuinely needed the help.
They talked themselves into Eyabi Okie-Anoma at the 231st pick, and the board did not agree. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.