Patriots Post-Draft Review

Patriots fans are used to approaching the draft with cautious optimism by now. There are countless instances where available prospects felt like no-brainers, but the organization moved in an entirely different direction. This year was a welcome change. I’ve heard multiple draft analysts suggest the Patriots wouldn’t be wrong to spend all eight of their selections on the offensive side of the ball, and ultimately, that wasn’t far from the outcome. With one lone defensive player selected in the later rounds, the Patriots roster will see seven new offensive players, including two quarterbacks, two receivers, a tight end, and two linemen. There were no excessive deviations from the consensus (another welcome change), and all key needs were addressed to an extent. Without further ado, let’s run through the eight newest Patriots.

Round 1

Drake Maye, per Jeff Roberson, AP Photo

 The Pats got their guy. With Jayden Daniels off the board, the Patriots stepped up to the podium to select UNC product QB Drake Maye, the QB1 of the future. Maye is a young prospect who has aspects of his game that he needs to work on, so there’s a pretty good chance we see Jacoby Brissett under center week one, but New England is staking their future on Maye to take the job in due time. This seems the obvious pick, but the former regime in New England was infamous for doing anything but the obvious and had mixed results with that approach. Bill Belicihick was notably critical of Maye on the Pat McAfee broadcast - it’s hard to say if that’s a genuine analytical take or a spiteful jab at the organization that parted ways with him. There were reports that the Vikings offered three first round picks (presumably 11, 23, and their ‘25 first) and that would have been fascinating. That might look like JJ McCarthy, Tyler Guyton or Jordan Morgan, and a receiver at 34. A fun activity to project, but ultimately, Maye is going to be the guy going forward and he seems to have the attitude necessary to succeed here. 

Round 2

Ja’Lynn Polk, per Stephen Brashear, AP Photo

 The Patriots opened up day two by moving back three spots from 34 to 37 in a deal with the Chargers that also moved them from the top of the fifth round to the top of the fourth (137 for 110). They ran the risk of missing a run on receivers with the deal, but I like the move as a whole, and it worked in their favor. While Ladd McConkey went off the board at 34, he wasn’t a great fit for this current squad, so he was probably not on the Patriots’ radar anyways, and the next two picks were defensive linemen. Eight tackles went off the board in the first round, so any tackle taken at this spot would be a bit of a reach. The Patriots addressed their most pressing needs and took WR Ja’Lynn Polk out of Washington. Polk is a solid player and should fit well into this system. He gives Maye a sure-handed option who can help cover up Maye’s occasional issues with accuracy with his large catch radius and plus ball skills. AD Mitchell was still on the board, who is undeniably talented, but alleged character concerns pushed him down boards and the Patriots played it safe.  

Round 3

Caedan Wallace, per Joe Robbins, Icon Sportswire

 After wheeling and dealing early, the Pats stuck in their allotted position in the third round and selected OT Caedan Wallace at 68. The Penn State tackle fills another pressing need, and was probably the best, most battle-tested option on the board, although the ceiling is somewhat limited. This might be a bit of a reach, but this team so desperately needs a tackle that I don’t have major issues with it. At age 24, Wallace is an older prospect, but he brings experience with 40 starts, many of those being against some of the best competition in college football. The chief concern is that Wallace has almost no experience at left tackle, which is the role he’ll likely be expected to fill in New England. It isn’t the flashiest pick, but the Patriots stay filling needs.

Round 4

Layden Robinson, per Joe Robbins, Icon Sportswire

 Thanks to the trade back in the second, the Patriots opened day three with two of the first ten picks. The first of those came at 103, and they opted for OG Layden Robinson out of Texas A&M. Another graduate offensive lineman, Robinson is experienced, but a bit underwhelming. I have no qualms about adding more bodies on the offensive line, but Robinson is a bit of a reach when other players like Mason McCormick are still on the board. Robinson is built for a zone scheme, and he’s a big-bodied people-mover in the run game, but he has a lot of work to do in the passing game before you can feel comfortable giving him NFL snaps. It’s an interesting developmental pick, but Robinson is a little old for someone with the developmental tag. This was my least favorite of the Pats’ picks.

Javon Baker, per Andrew Bershaw, Icon Sportswire

Let’s go. With their second pick on day three, the Patriots selected WR Javon Baker out of UCF. An Alabama transfer, Javon Baker has the pedigree of a high-ceiling playmaker. When I watched Baker’s tape in the pre-draft process, there was no aspect of his game that stuck out as elite, but he’s such an effective player and is very well-liked among analysts. Baker is not a difference-maker as an athlete, but he's a pretty complete prospect who knows how to get open and stack DBs despite lacking impressive top speed. He has good ball skills and excels at high-pointing the ball despite not having a huge frame, although he has some concerning drops on his tape. I had been hoping Baker would end up as a Patriot, and I’m a little surprised he was still on the board here. He should be a great addition to the receiving core in New England and I would not be surprised in the slightest if he factors into the game plan significantly in year one.

Round 6

Marcellas Dial, per 247 Sports

70 players went between these two picks, but the Patriots stayed put and selected South Carolina CB Marcellas Dial at pick 180. A lot of folks have a UDFA grade on Dial, but he’s a guy that I’ve liked later in drafts and think he’s a good fit in the Pats’ secondary. He has the build of a true outside corner and was effective in man coverage in college, drawing a 78.2 coverage grade on 853 snaps in 2023. With Jonathan Jones an unrestricted free agent next year, I was hoping the Patriots would bring in a depth corner around this part of the draft and Dial is someone I’d liked, although I would have preferred Arkansas’ Dwight McGlothern or Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden. Dial lacks some athleticism but is an interesting developmental piece who can sit and learn the position.  

Joe Milton III, per Joe Robbins, Icon Sportswire

With their second pick in the sixth round, the Patriots selected QB Joe Milton out of Tennessee, 13 picks after Marcellas Dial. I’ve mocked Joe Milton to the Patriots at this pick so many times so I can’t complain. I haven’t watched much Milton college tape, but I watched plenty of him during Senior Bowl week and at the combine. To be frank, Milton looked awful at the Senior Bowl. His accuracy and decision making are not even close to being fit for the NFL. Then you see Milton’s arm strength, and you get it. Milton is a good athlete and can throw the ball a mile with pretty good accuracy, however he has so many issues as a quarterback. I like taking a chance on Milton and seeing if you can develop that arm because Milton possesses some traits that are borderline elite.

Round 7

Jaheim Bell, per Julio Aguilar, Getty Images

 With their final selection, the Patriots took TE Jaheim Bell from Florida State at pick 231. Leading into the draft, many would be surprised that Bell would be available in the 7th round, particularly given the lack of depth in this tight end class. Bell is an excellent athlete and an intriguing addition to a veteran tight end group. While certainly undersized at 6’2, Bell provides the desired verticality of the modern tight end and isn’t a complete liability as a blocker. I really like this pick as well, but don’t expect to see much of Bell anytime soon. Bell played in a crowded offense at FSU so he was never as productive as many college evaluators pegged him to be, but his traits have tantalized scouts for years. I was hoping the Pats would add a young athlete to the tight end room, and Bell in the 7th round feels like excellent value.

The Takeaway

The Patriots are undoubtedly a more complete team today than they were Wednesday. The gaping hole at quarterback was filled in a big way in the first round, and other needs were addressed accordingly in the following rounds. I love the way that the Patriots addressed the receiver position – both Polk and Baker are prospects I’m very fond of (and mentioned as potential Patriots in my pre-draft article) who figure to be productive sooner rather than later. I’m not in love with the idea of Caedan Wallace trotting out as the starting left tackle week one, but there are worse alternatives. Future needs were addressed with appropriately priced prospects in the later rounds, giving the organization flexibility in the future. If I were to assign a grade to the Patriots’ draft (an obviously futile exercise before a single snap has been played), I’d give them an A- (A3 for Moody’s loyalists), leaning closer to an A flat than a B+. This team won’t be a playoff contender in it’s current state, but they’ve absolutely taken a step in the right direction, and positions that had been in a dire state should at least now have serviceable options.