It feels like it’s been a long road but we are finally here, the draftermath 2024!
For a full argumentative breakdown don’t forget to catch episodes 26 and 27 of Pats Procrastination on the Pats Propaganda Youtube channel, hosted by myself and Chudders from Manchester.
And so, to compliment those shows (and bring you the fun content you should be used to from me by now!) I have put together a snack size delicacy of the rookies drafted by the NEP for this year!
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina. Yeah I know, like you didn’t already know everything about this kid, but he was the number three pick in the NFL draft he deserves a small amount of page.
The youngest brother of a group of athletic young men, Drake Maye feels like the quintessential upgrade on the typical Patriots type quarterback. He has his football smarts, a strong arm and mobility… mobility people!!
Sure, this seasons Patriots number 10 isn’t the most mobile quarterback in the 2024 draft, but he definitely can move and make plays with his legs.
Maye has some improvements to make, particularly on his footwork, but nobody is perfect, and with the addition of Jacoby Brissett, not so little Mr Maye, has a little bit of breathing room to truly be the Patriots next franchise quarterback. (Oh please… please!)
You know I like me some measurables so if you aren’t interested you can tap out for a minute (just kidding! please do keep reading!) Drake Maye – 21 years of age, 6 foot 4 and a half inches, 225 pounds, 32 and a quarter inch arms and 9 and an eight inch hands.
Caeden Wallace of Penn State was the offensive line selection that many of us were waiting for, kind of. Sure, the 68th overall selection possibly wasn’t the offensive tackle many of Patriots Nation were expecting, but this may be one of those sneaky cheeky picks the Patriots make that maybe not everyone realised the full potential (chess verses chequers anyone?).
Whilst Wallace played right tackle for all of his college career that may be a product of him playing on the same team as first round draft pick, now New Jersey Jet, Olu Fashanu. So, it remains to be seen where Wallace lines up when September rolls around, but the current Patriots o-line is a work in progress, and they have definitely added pieces. Let’s just hope that game of chess works out…
I could pretty much write very similar as above for the Patriots fourth round, number 103 draft selection Layden Robinson of Texas A&M. Robinson has been described as “an absolute freight train in the running game” which might be exactly what the re-building offensive line needs. Robinson has been a pure right guard and presently the unofficial Patriots roster shows Sidy Sow in that role, but with Cole Strange being a question mark and the versatility of many of the players in the offensive line room at the moment, we may need a little patience to find out where Robinson lines up.
The Pats didn’t only draft two o-linemen, they selected two similar sized wide receivers too. Trading back a little (and forwards a little in the fourth round) with the Chargers, the Patriots selected Ja’Lynn Polk of Washington at number 37 and then Javon Baker of UCF at 110 overall.
Both receivers hit the 6 foot 1 mark coming in at 203, and 208 pounds respectively.
I will confess prior to the draft these weren’t names I was much aware of, however since the draft I have read and heard such great things they have me almost ready to switch from my tight end enthusiasm! Okay, I am joking, I can never give up my TE’s but the write up on both of the receivers, whether they were actually the Patriots first choices at the position, or not, are glowing.
Now, that’s not to say they are perfect but with Polk coined as one of the best ‘go up and get it’ contested catch receivers in this years class with reliable hands, and Baker a competitive player at the catch point with great hip fluidity enabling him to sharply change direction, there is definitely plenty to look forward to!
Not to disregard the defence completely, Marcellas Dial was the 180th pick (round 6) a cornerback out of South Carolina. Dial visited with the Patriots before the draft and whilst he will probably be competing for a role and possibly see his start with the team on special teams, Dial has outside potential and versatility that is always of a benefit for a player low on the depth chart but with time to prove his future worth. The Patriots have some history of bringing quality out of players in the secondary and so Dial could be one of those draft, develop and retain kind of guys.
Double dipping maybe the name of the draft for 2024 as the Patriots selected a second quarterback in cannon armed Joe Milton out of Tennessee. An undisputed physically gifted thrower, Milton rocks in with his rocket arm at 6 foot 5 and 246 pounds. Milton was a surprise selection to many, but at a low risk – high reward project, Milton could prove to bring some extra-ness at the quarterback back up position.
Finally the tight end position. It was addressed, kinda, in round 7 at number 231. Now I use my kinda loosely there because Jaheim Bell out of Florida State is a tight end, but at 6 foot 2 inches, 241 pounds he is a little undersized, from A Clare Perspective. However! This guy was definitely value for money in the seventh round. My combine notes have him not great at blocking, but! really good performance running routes and good catching ability.
Bell is a tweener, he has experience as an inline tight end, a wing back, a running back and a wide receiver. Whilst not maintaining blocks well he is explosive off the line. He fits what we believe is the AVP offensive scheme (we are yet to see what it actually is for this season in all fairness) and could have a clear role that currently isn’t filled anywhere on the Patriots unofficial roster.
Definitely a developmental player with the future in mind, Bell could bring back an element to the Patriots offense we haven’t seen since the likes of James Develin and Jacob Johnson suited up in Patriot blue. Now, that’s not to say he will be a fullback, but he has immense flexibility with his skill set and maybe my sneaky cheeky player to watch for the 2024 season.
So there you have it you lovely lot, that is the haul for 2024. UDFA’s are still being signed up so the list of new players for the Patriots is going to be extensive, but my word do I feel like a kid on Christmas morning ready to get playing with my brand new toys! I don’t know about you folks, whilst it may be a little bit of a bumpy one, I am definitely looking forward to our next Patriots ride!
Go Pats!
*Please note, all measurables are compared across multiple sources and the most common used here.
