NEWSLETTER
The 2024 NFL Draft marked a turning point for the New England Patriots. After two decades under the iron fist of Bill Belichick, the team entered a new era with Jerod Mayo at the helm. With a glaring need at quarterback and a roster in flux, the pressure was on for him and the Patriots. Did they utilize their draft picks to usher in a new offensive identity and build a team capable of returning to their winning ways? Let’s dissect their draft class, give them a grade, and see if New England has charted a successful course for the post-Belichick era.
New England Patriots NFL Draft Grade: C+
The New England Patriots’ 2024 draft class received mixed reviews from analysts. While many praised their aggressive approach to securing a potential franchise quarterback in Drake Maye at No.3 overall, others questioned the team’s overall strategy. The focus on offense with several skill position picks addressed a clear need, but some felt neglecting the defense early on could hinder their immediate success.
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The Patriots’ draft landed them a potential star in Maye, but the rest of their skill-position selections left much to be desired. Further affecting their grade is the selection of another QB, Joe Milton out of Tennessee in the 6th round. Overall, this draft class is dependent on how Maye and the other rookies develop but for the immediate future, we’d have to give it a C+ simply for addressing their top NFL Draft priorities but potentially missing value.
| Draft Pick | Selection |
|---|---|
| Rd 1 – pick 3 | Drake Maye, QB – North Carolina |
| Rd 2 – pick 37 | Ja’Lynn Polk, WR – Washington |
| Rd 3 – Pick 68 | Caedan Wallace, T – Penn State |
| Rd 4 – pick 103 | Layden Robinson, G – Texas A&M |
| Rd 4 – pick 110 | Javon Baker, WR – UCF |
| Rd 6 – pick 180 | Marcellas Dial, CB – South Carolina |
| Rd 6 – pick 193 | Joe Milton, QB – Tennessee |
| Rd 7 – pick 231 | Jaheim Bell, TE – Florida State |
The 2024 NFL Draft ushered in a new era for the New England Patriots. With Bill Belichick stepping aside and Jerod Mayo taking the reins as head coach, the team entered the draft with a sense of both excitement and uncertainty. The biggest question mark? Quarterback. Mac Jones’ inconsistent play in 2023 left a void under center. Did the Pats answer their QB questions in the draft?
Replacing Tom Brady – Take Two
The answer was a resounding yes. With the third overall pick, the Patriots selected the highly-touted quarterback from North Carolina, Drake Maye. Maye, known for his strong arm, mobility, and leadership skills, instantly becomes the face of the post-Belichick era. While some analysts questioned whether Maye was a perfect fit for the traditionally run-heavy Patriots offense, a more modern, pass-oriented approach under the new regime led by Jerod Mayo might be on tap.
Finding Offensive Firepower
The focus on offense continued in the second round with the selection of Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Polk, a dynamic route runner with exceptional hands, provides Maye with a reliable target and an immediate weapon to grow with. The investment in offensive firepower didn’t stop there though.
The Patriots bolstered the offensive line with the selection of Penn State’s Caedan Wallace in the third round and G Layden Robinson in the fourth. They provide much-needed size and depth for a unit that struggled to keep quarterbacks upright in 2023.
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Another QB?
New England finished off the 2024 NFL Draft in this same fashion. They added an additional wide receiver, a tight end, and inexplicably drafted another quarterback, Joe Milton, in the sixth round. The Pats did take one defensive player, cornerback Marcellas Dial from South Carolina.
Barely Passing the Class
This draft class marks a significant shift in philosophy for the Patriots. Gone is the emphasis on defense-first; instead, New England has prioritized building an explosive offense around a young quarterback. The success of this strategy hinges entirely on Maye’s development and the offensive line’s ability to gel quickly. It was strange seeing New England add a second QB this draft and neither of the receivers are considered extremely high-upside players. Mayo and Company didn’t have a bad draft per say, but it wasn’t all that great either. For this, we gave them a passing grade of C+
