B+
New England Patriots
The Patriots bet the future on Nix. The board says B+.
by Patriot_Way77 ·
2024 NFL Draft
· 8 picks
· 3 steals
· 4 reaches
The Patriots went off the board in a big way for Carlton Johnson, 84 picks early. Conviction is one thing; this is another.
So much rides on Bo Nix that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. Every deal seemed to tilt their way, which is not luck.
Getting Washington where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. It is not that Liufau is a bad player; it is that the Patriots had louder needs to answer first.
That edge rusher hole did not close this weekend, and it was the biggest one on the wall.
In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
By-the-book stuff, Bo Nix at the Round 1 slot squarely in line with his ranking. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Trey Benson at pick 34 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
They let Jeremiah Trotter Jr. come to them and pounced at No. 68. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Brenden Rice in the 104th pick is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
A surprising call. With edge rusher, interior defensive lineman and other spots still to address, they spent Round 4, Pick 36 on Marist Liufau, a linebacker they were not short of.
A big swing on Luke McCaffrey at the 139th overall pick, well ahead of any board in the building. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Carlton Johnson at the 182nd overall pick is the kind of overdraft that needs everything to break right. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Tahj Washington in the 229th pick is a gift, value that borders on unfair. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.