The New England Patriots are facing a monumental fork in the road that will chart the course of franchise history for years to come. Does that sound dramatic? Well, that’s the position Robert Kraft found himself in after an already seismic offseason marked by the mutual split with Bill Belichick and the trade of former first-round pick Mac Jones. Now, new head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf are tasked with rebuilding the organization into a winning one.
The key arrow they have in their quiver during this process comes in the 2024 NFL Draft, where they hold the third overall pick, which they have since used to bring in UNC quarterback Drake Maye. He will now be the face of the franchise under center, but the team has many other needs that must also be addressed throughout this three-day spectacle. They currently have two picks on Day 2. They also have five picks on Day 3.
The importance of this draft to New England cannot be overstated, so you won’t want to miss a second of the action that will unfold during this three-day extravaganza. Here are all the picks the Patriots currently have heading into Thursday.
|
1 |
3 |
Drake Maye, QB (UNC) | B (Pete Prisco) |
|
2 |
37 (via chargers) |
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR (Washington) | B- (Chris Trapasso) |
|
3 |
68 |
||
|
4 |
103 |
||
|
4 |
110 (via chargers) |
||
|
6 |
180 |
||
|
6 |
193 (via Jacksonville) |
||
|
7 |
231 (via Chicago) |
Patriots select Drake Maye at No. 3
After weeks of speculation about who the Patriots would pick at No. 3 or if they would even be at that pick choosing to move down, Drake Maye is headed to Foxborough. New England took the UNC product with the third overall pick, marking the highest selection owned by Robert Kraft and the highest player chosen by the Patriots since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Maye arrives at Gillette Stadium with the ‘hope he can be the face (alongside new head coach Jerod Mayo) to bring the organization smoothly into the post-Bill Belichick era. Maye has the prototypical size of an NFL quarterback, phenomenal arm talent and shifty mobility that gives him high draft potential. Now, he’ll fit into a Patriots QB room that includes Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe, who should be able to provide the club with veteran experience so Maye can develop at his own pace without needing to start the week 1 if that’s best.
Pete Prisco’s rating: B. “He may need some time on the bench, but he has the talent to be a good starting quarterback in this league. He just needs to fine-tune a few mechanical things. The Patriots needed to find a quarterback -back.”
Patriots select Ja’Lynn Polk 37th overall
Thursday night, the Patriots identified their quarterback of the future in Drake Maye. With their first pick of Day 2, they give him a brand new weapon. With the No. 37 overall pick, New England selected Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Last season, the 6-foot-1, 203-pound wide receiver caught 69 balls for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns. He will now be part of a receiving room led by Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas and free agent signee KJ Osborn. Within the Patriots offense, Polk should be considered a contested catching option. Polk also knows Patriots wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes, who worked in Washington last season as quality control coach.
The Patriots originally had the No. 34 overall selection, but moved up to No. 37. As part of the deal, New England sent LA #137 and acquired #110.
Chris Trapasso’s grade: B-. “A complete extension with no stellar athletic traits that tracks him wonderfully. Flashes of movement and power from YAC. A fun, versatile piece to add to offense that needs it. An early tick for him though.”
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