B+
New England Patriots
Quarterback settled, McCarthy in the fold, and a B+ for the Patriots.
by Brop9404 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 14 picks
· 4 steals
· 6 reaches
They finally answered the question that shadows every other one. J.J. McCarthy is the Patriots' quarterback, full stop. No fireworks, but a solid B+.
The Tupuola-Fetui reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade. That is a cornerback worth more than the slot they spent on him, plainly.
The running back spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Small wins on the phones, but wins all the same.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but running back.
Pick-by-Pick
In slot 22 they get their guy under center for the next decade. A real need, handled.
Ladd McConkey at pick 34 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Troy Fautanu is a better player than No. 35 suggests; smart patience, rewarded. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.
They reached a country mile for Patrick Paul at the 50th pick, and the board is aghast. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
A wild overpay on Xavier Legette in pick No. 53, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
By-the-book stuff, Sedrick Van Pran at the 68th overall pick squarely in line with his ranking. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
No edge and no loss on Xavier Worthy in Round 3, Pick 5; it is a wash and a sensible one. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Ben Sinnott. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
They paid up for Kitan Oladapo at Round 5, Pick 1 when waiting would have done the job. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They read the board right and Marist Liufau was the payoff at slot 180. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Zion Tupuola-Fetui at pick 181 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Gabe Hall at the Round 6 slot is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Myles Harden in pick No. 231 is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A minor itch, scratched.
Nice patience on Daijahn Anthony, who had no business lasting to the 253rd pick. A want more than a need, though you can never have too many.