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New England Patriots NFL draft picks 2024: Full list of team's round-by-round selections
Here is a 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick breakdown for the New England Patriots:
Round 1 (No. 3 overall) — Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: With their earliest draft pick of owner Robert Kraft’s three-decade tenure, the Pats attempt for the second time in three years to draft the long-term successor for legendary Tom Brady. (Mac Jones, their Round 1 choice in 2021, was traded to Jacksonville earlier this year.) Only 21, Maye comes with all the physical tools – ideal size (6-4, 223), howitzer arm and bruising open-field running ability, a skill set that evokes comparisons to Justin Herbert and Josh Allen, the latter proving it’s a combo that can work well in the adverse weather conditions of the AFC East.
Decision-making and some occasionally wildly off-target throws have been issues that need improvement. The Pats also have a lot of work to do around Maye, the left side of the offensive line at issue and no elite players at any of the offensive skill positions. However, new director of scouting Eliot Wolf clearly prioritized getting a potential franchise quarterback into the program while knowing veteran QB Jacoby Brissett can start early on if the Patriots opt to hold Maye back once the regular season starts. New England hasn’t won a playoff game since TB12 departed following the 2019 season, but Kraft and Co. are banking Maye can change that … and soon. Draft tracker
Round 2 (37, from Chargers) — Ja'Lynn Polk, WR, Washington: Rome Odunze’s wingman with the Huskies, Polk is more than Robin – accumulating 69 grabs for 1,159 yards and nine TDs for the national champion runners-up. The size (6-1, 203) and 4.5 speed should make him a fixture in three-receiver sets ... and maybe even rookie QB Drake Maye's primary target in Foxborough. Draft tracker
Round 3 (68) — Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State: New England has an opening on the left side following the departure of Trent Brown, though Wallace played on the right side for the Nittany Lions. Draft tracker
Round 4 (103) — Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M: Robinson has some of the longest arms and biggest hands in the class. His aggressive play style will be a boost in the running game but he's more of a project in pass protection. He's at least a good depth piece for the Patriots to start his career. Draft tracker
Round 4 (110, from Bears through Chargers) — Javon Baker, WR, UCF: Baker's athletic profile compares well to Green Bay's Romeo Doubs. Baker is not an elite athletic player but thrived after the catch in his final year at UCF. He is an upgrade for the Patriots at wide receiver as they invest around Drake Maye, but his inconsistency and drops are a concern. Draft tracker
Round 6 (180) — Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina: Dial's ideal size and athleticism give him a solid floor as a cornerback but his lack of instincts and tackling are concerns. He's made more for zone schemes and needs time to develop more disciplined spacing in coverage. This is a bit of a reach even for Round 6. Draft tracker
Round 6 (193, from Jaguars) — Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee: Milton likely has the strongest arm in this top-heavy quarterback class. The former Volunteer started one season for Tennessee and has arguably the best physical tools in this quarterback class. He lacked touch on throws and, at 24 years old, there's concern over future development. He could eventually move to tight end but if not this is an odd choice of resources for a talent-needy Patriots team. Draft tracker
Round 7 (231, from Bears) — Jaheim Bel, TE, Florida State: Bell lined up at tight end and fullback with the Seminoles. His blocking is solid in-line but struggles in space. He has the speed to stretch the field after the catch and compares well with Chigoziem Okonkwo's athletic profile. Over time, he'd become a solid No. 2 tight end for the Patriots who continue to build up their pass catching corps. Draft tracker
New England Patriots' recent top draft picks
2023 (No. 17 overall): Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
2022 (No. 29 overall): Cole Strange, OG, Chattanooga
2021 (No. 15 overall): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
2020 (No. 37 overall): Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne
2019 (No. 32 overall): N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State
Previous drafts: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
2024 NFL draft: Every team's picks
NFC East: Commanders | Cowboys | Eagles | Giants
NFC South: Buccaneers | Falcons | Panthers | Saints
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New England Patriots NFL draft picks 2024: Round-by-round selections
