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Complete Patriots 2024 Draft Tracker and Way-Too-Early Grades

The Patriots enter their biggest draft in two decades with many holes to fill, but the capital to make significant upgrades at several spots.
Taylor KylesBy 9 Mins Read

The Patriots enter their most important draft in over two decades with several holes to fill, but the capital to make significant upgrades at several spots.

The offense has glaring needs at premium positions such as quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive tackle, and a lack of quality developmental depth at every other position.

New England’s defense is built to carry the team in 2024 but faces a similar lack of long-term upside at nearly every spot.

De facto general manager Eliot Wolf is running point with the help of head coach Jerod Mayo and director of player personnel Matt Groh, all of whom are looking to prove themselves following the team’s split with longtime general Bill Belichick.

This list will track each of the team’s picks over the weekend, break down what each player brings, and grade selections based on team fit and talent level.

ROUND 1 

Pick 3: QB Drake Maye, UNC

Background: 6’4″, 223 lbs, 21 years old, Redshirt Sophomore

Accolades: Second Team All-ACC (2023), ACC Player of the Year (2022), First Team All-ACC (2022)

Key Measurements: 6’4 3/8″ tall (83rd %tile), 9 1/8″ hands (15th %tile)

Strengths: Size, arm talent, accuracy, athleticism, toughness, improvisation, attacks the full field

Weaknesses: Inconsistent mechanics and process, jarring misses, occasional over-aggressiveness, hand size

Patriots Connections: Combine meeting, Pro Day meeting, and 30 visit

Quick Thoughts: The Patriots addressed their most important position of need with one of the highest-upside prospects in the draft. Maye offers prototypical size, a great arm, underrated athleticism, and surprising football IQ for a two-year starter. He’s also mature beyond his years and comes from a competitive family full of accomplished athletes. With proper development and a quality supporting cast, the 2022 ACC Player of the Year could become an All-Pro talent within his first contract.

Way-Too-Early Grade: A+

ROUND 2

Pick 37: WR Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington

Background: 6’1″, 203 lbs, 21 years old, Sophomore

Accolades: Second Team All-American (2023), First Team All-Pac-12 (2023)

Key Measurements: 129″ broad (88th %tile), 9 3/4″ hands (76th %tile), 1.52s 10-yd split (76th %tile)

Strengths: Size, length, toughness, fast enough to stack corners, tracking, catch radius, ball skills, blocking

Weaknesses: Modest explosiveness, limited route tree, can struggle vs press, inconsistent on contested catches

Patriots Connections: Worked with WRs coach Tyler Hughes in 2023

Quick Thoughts: I had Polk as a 3rd-round prospect, but his intangibles and consistency seem to have pushed him higher on NFL boards. He isn’t as explosive as AD Mitchell or Troy Franklin, but he was the most reliable receiver on the board and went over 1,000 yards last season despite playing opposite Rome Odunze. Polk’s experience in a pro-style Washington offense, ability to line up any receiver spot, and vertical prowess should allow him to make an immediate impact, and he could be the day-one starter at X. He may not dictate coverage, but the former Huskie has high-end WR2 potential and is another high-character addition to the locker room.

Way-Too-Early Grade: B+

ROUND 3

Pick 68: OT Caedan Wallace, Penn State

Background: 6’5″, 314 lbs, 24 years old, Redshirt Senior, 40 career starts at RT

Accolades: All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2023), Shrine Bowl

Key Measurements: 116″ broad (96th %tile), 10 3/4″ hands (90th %tile), 31″ vert (81st %tile)

Strengths: Explosiveness, mobility, balance, patience, plays long, blocking in space, senior year jump

Weaknesses: Pad level consistency, inside counters, older prospect

Patriots Connections: 30 visit

Quick Thoughts: Career right tackle Wallace is an older prospect who initially seemed like a reach for the left-tackle-needy. However, Eliot Wolf told reporters after the pick that he is viewed as a four-position player with the athleticism to play on the left side. That level of versatility is rare, and Wallace made a significant jump in his senior season that showed he has room for continued growth. He also posted elite explosive grades by Relative Athletic Score and plays longer than his listed size. Consistency and further technique improvement will decide how quickly Wallace sees the field, but he was viewed pre-draft as an early contributor with starting potential.

Way-Too-Early Grade: B

ROUND 4

Pick 103: IOL Layden Robinson, Texas A&M

Background: 6’5″, 302 lbs, 22 years old, Redshirt Senior, 33 career starts at RG

Accolades: Second Team All-SEC (2023), Senior Bowl

Key Measurements: 34 5/8″ arms (90th %tile), 111″ broad (92nd %tile), 302 lbs (13th %tile)

Strengths: Burst, length, power, anchor, mobility, hand strength, physicality

Weaknesses: Quickness, lower-body flexibility, punch timing, pad level, oversetting

Patriots Connections: 30 visit

Quick Thoughts: Robinson was a projected late-4th-5th-rounder, so New England may have reached a bit to get one of their guys. Still, his burst, frame, powerful punch, and elite length make up for a lack of great explosiveness and change of direction Robinson also brings tone-setting physicality and power and is an effective puller. Offensive line coach Scott Peters will need to shore up some technical deficiencies to maximize the rookie’s potential, and Robinson may need to prove he can play left guard to make an early impact, but he brings much-needed depth to the interior and has starting upside.

Way-Too-Early Grade: B-

Pick 110 (from LAC): WR Javon Baker, UCF

Background: 6’1″, 202 lbs, 22 years old, Redshirt Senior

Accolades: First Team All-Big 12 (2023), Senior Bowl

Key Measurements: 78 1/4″ wingspan (71st %tile), 37″ vertical (69th %tile), 4.54s 40 (36th %tile)

Strengths: Explosiveness, body control, releases, deceitful route-runner, catch radius, YAC ability, blocking

Weaknesses: Sometimes oversells routes, can struggle vs press, hot-and-cold ball skills

Patriots Connections: 30 visit

Quick Thoughts: I thought Baker would go in the 3rd round, and I was disappointed he wasn’t taken with New England’s first 4th-rounder. Suffice it to say,  I was thrilled when he was taken at pick 110. There are legitimate inconsistencies and technical flaws in Baker’s game that must be ironed out. He isn’t always efficient in routes, struggles against press, and his hands can be frustratingly inconsistent. That said, Baker is an explosive, can win at all three levels, and brings an edge to New England’s receiving corps. His route-running needs refinement, but the receiver knows how to win off the line of scrimmage and manipulate defenders. He also has the body control and hand strength to make highlight-reel grabs look effortless. With a strong camp, Baker could be the Patriots’ top option at X alongside Ja’Lynn Polk, though both have position flexibility.

Way-Too-Early Grade: A

ROUND 6

Pick 180: CB Marcellas Dial, South Carolina

Background: 6’1″, 202 lbs, 22 years old, Redshirt Senior

Accolades: Led team in passes defended in consecutive seasons (2022-2023)

Key Measurements: 40 1/2″ vert (90th %tile), 129″ broad (87th %tile), 77 5/8″ wingspan (80th %tile)

Strengths: Physicality, length, burst, vertical speed, ball magnet, strong jam, versatility, special teams

Weaknesses: Inconsistent recognition, pad level, hip stiffness, tackling, just 3 career interceptions

Patriots Connections: 30 visit

Quick Thoughts: Dial told reporters the Patriots were impressed by his football IQ, which makes sense given his propensity for deflecting passes and experience at safety and in the slot. He has the size and explosiveness that New England tends to target later on day three of the draft, which makes him sticky in man coverage and disruptive when coming downhill from depth. Dial’s special teams background and selection for South Carolina’s Overcoming Adversity Award in 2023 also work in his favor. Hip stiffness could limit Dial’s effectiveness against shifter, more nuanced route-runners. He’ll also need to overcome spotty instincts and inconsistent tackling and turn more breakups into picks to maximize his potential. Luckily, the rookie is in good hands with accomplished cornerbacks coach Mike Pellegrino.

Way-Too-Early Grade: B

ROUND 6

Pick 193 (from JAX): QB Joe Milton, Tennessee

Background: 6’5″, 246 lbs, 24 years old, Redshirt Senior

Accolades: Senior Bowl, Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Semifinalist (2023), Orange Bowl MVP (2022)

Key Measurements: 6’5 1/8″ tall (92rd %tile), 10″ hands (90th %tile), 121″ broad jump (90th %tile)

Strengths: Explosive arm talent, size, athleticism, toughness, leadership

Weaknesses: Accuracy, touch, processing, field vision, mechanics vs pressure, age

Patriots Connections: Senior Bowl meeting, Pro Day meeting

Quick Thoughts: There’s no question Drake Maye is New England’s quarterback of the future, but the team sneakily needed depth at the position with Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, and Nathan Rourke hitting free agency in 2025. Milton has great size with a cannon for an arm, and the attention to detail in his footwork is evident on tape. He’s a physical downhill runner on scrambles and designed carries, making an effort to fall forward through contact. His coachability and leadership stood out during the Senior Bowl. While there is plenty to like about Milton, he’s an undeniably raw prospect despite being 24 years old. His arm talent is undercut by a lack of timing, touch, and accuracy, which also translates to other areas of the field. While Milton told reporters he has no intention of switching positions, that might be his only shot at seeing the field on game days.

Way-Too-Early Grade: C

ROUND 7

Pick 231 (from CHI): TE Jaheim Bell, Florida State

Background: 6’2″, 241 lbs, 22 years old, Senior

Accolades: Second Team All-ACC (2023), Senior Bowl

Key Measurements: 124″ broad (91st %tile), 4.61s 40 (88th %tile), 1.58s 10-yard split (86th %tile)

Strengths: Versatility, burst, contact balance, hands, blocking effort

Weaknesses: Size, power, raw route runner, blocking execution, minimal Red Zone production

Patriots Connections: Pro Day meeting

Quick Thoughts: The Patriots’ offense lacked a versatile playmaker entering the draft, but they got one in Bell, who has experience playing every offensive skill position. While not particularly shifty, he does a good job making the first defender miss and fights for extra yards. Bell also flashed the ability to track and adjust to downfield passes on limited opportunities. Blocking isn’t a strength of his game, but the effort is there. Bell’s less-than-ideal size, power, and flexibility will limit his effectiveness in certain areas, but he’s a chess piece who can be a quality role player with good coaching and deployment. I’d expect him to play a Harrison Bryant-plus-style role in Alex Van Pelt’s offense, where he’s primarily used off the line of scrimmage and moves around the formation.

Way-Too-Early Grade: B

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Taylor Kyles is the lead NFL Analyst for CLNS Media covering players, schemes, and tendencies through a New England Patriots-centric lens.

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