The 2023 NFL season is now officially over. For the New England Patriots, it actually ended sometime in October of 2023 when their terrible off-season chickens came home to roost. After a massive change at Gillette Stadium, including the departure of long-time head Coach and de facto general manager Bill Belichick, it's time to renew, revamp, and reinvigorate the now last-place Patriots.
Who'd have thunk it back in 2018 after the Pats had beaten the LA Rams for their sixth Super Bowl title? Unfortunately, bad decisions by Belichick, sanctioned by owner Robert Kraft, set the Pats on a precipitous slide to the bottom of the AFC East they had dominated for 20 years.
Now there's a new Head Coach in Jerod Mayo, who's had a very nice start to his tenure, and a new GM (in fact, if not in name) in Eliot Wolf, who'll either deliver the players Mayo needs for the Pats' renaissance or not. Whether you agree with Kraft's decision to allow this most important off-season in 25 years to be a "test case" for an untested GM or not, whoever makes the decisions has to get them right, or the whole operation will flop, as Belichick found out after tossing Brady out in 2019.
So, as we approach the key components of the offseason when teams are either built or not, Wolf has to make good decisions in free agency and the all-important NFL draft beginning shortly. The bar was set low by Belichick of late in both categories, so Wolf should be able to better the results of the past four or five years with ease. We'll see.
Here, the topic is the fan-favorite NFL draft, and for the first time in literally decades, the Patriots have a very high pick with which to work, the third overall. Speculation is rife about whether the Patriots should draft one of the top three quarterbacks, a definite positional need, or maybe trade down for more picks, or even trade up to help build a foundation, and perhaps wait until later on to take a quarterback. Whatever they do, a high selection of a QB is essential.
For most years in the past, the Patriots have disappointed mightily in the draft. It was what it was, uninspiring. This year, Wolf has a chance to turn all that on its head. It's a very simple formula of drafting consensus players and not reaching a la Belichick. In addition, you just draft the best players available, only at positions of need on the Patriots. It isn't rocket science, just common sense.
So, with that in mind, here we go with a draft that will rock the NFL to its foundations and set the Pats back on the road back to NFL relevance. The last thing the NFL, not to mention the currently high-flying Kansas City Chiefs, want to see is a reenergized and re-stocked New England Patriots raring to rip through the AFC and the NFL as they did in the past. Draft smart and sign some top free agents, and that's exactly what the Patriots will set the stage to do. So, "Let's Go!" and see just how Wolf might make that happen.
Note: Thanks to profootballnetwork.com for the use of their mock draft simulator.
Before the draft, don't forget to claim $150 in bonuses from FanDuel Sportsbook today! Patriots fans who deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more on any game will be credited an extra $150 in bonus bets if the wager wins. Sign up for FanDuel now!
With their first-round pick in the NFL draft, the New England Patriots select ...
Here we go! It's Thursday, April 29, and for once, the New England Patriots are on the clock at an early hour. Fans can see what their team does in the draft before they ease into sleepy time or wreck their Friday before it begins.
With the first two picks in the NFL draft, what many prognosticators had thought eventuates. The top two quarterbacks, Caleb Williams of USC and Drake Maye of North Carolina go to Chicago and Washington, respectively. Now Wolf is faced with the most critical Patriots' draft decision in a quarter century: whether the Patriots should select now or trade down. And if he selects, who's it going to be?
It's not an easy decision for Wolf, yet great options abound. If he trades down, he can secure valuable assets to help rebuild an offense that needs help essentially everywhere. Indeed, a trade down to picks five through seven would secure a haul of picks and still nicely deliver a top player. If not, and he opts for the value of the Pats' high picks in every round, he'll go quality over quantity. Again, he can't be faulted there.
Wolf doesn't hesitate; he sends the card with the third pick overall up to the podium, and the Patriots waste no time in getting their quarterback of the future, dual-threat Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels of LSU. And in Daniels, he gets a multi-faceted talent.
Jayden Daniels, the best option for the Patriots both long and short-term.
Jayden Daniels can do it all. He's an accurate passer, protects the ball, and produces touchdowns, exactly what the New England Patriots need. That's a terrific long-term proposition. In addition, in the short term, he'll provide a running option while the Patriots re-tool their entire offense, which will take time. Daniels will compensate for many deficiencies with his legs on broken or scripted plays.
Daniels' 2023 season was a hallmark of excellence. He threw for 3812 yards, a 74.2 completion percentage, and 40 touchdowns. He also protects the ball and has just four interceptions for a "not too bad" 10/1, TD to INT ratio. That's a valuable asset to a turnover-prone team like the 2023 Patriots.
nfldraftbuzz.com doesn't mince words commenting on what Daniels will bring to the table for the listless Patriots offense,
"Jayden Daniels' 2023 season is a case study in the traits NFL scouts salivate over in a dual-threat quarterback. His mobility and arm are tailor-made for modern offenses, particularly in RPO (Run-Pass Option) and quick-pass scenarios. His standout performance against Florida, where he became the first player in FBS history to pass for 350 yards and rush for 200 in a single game, wasn't just record-setting; it was a showcase of his high-ceiling potential."
Nice to hear. Let's also hear from thedraftnetwork.com on the Heisman Trophy-winning Daniels,
"As a passer, Daniels appears to be most comfortable on the move, where the play moves the launch point. On these designed play calls, Daniels shows off his natural athleticism by being able to easily get out of the pocket and find the open receiver in half-field read concepts.
"When Daniels feels that a receiver isn't open, he will take the option to tuck the football and pick up significant yardage with his legs—whether that is escaping through the middle of the pocket or escaping on the perimeter. In the pocket, Daniels looks most comfortable when he has one or two reads in a play, showing that he has the arm strength to hit opposite hash comebacks and quick curl/hitch routes to receivers."
As a dual-threat quarterback, Daniels fits the bill as a 2020's NFL quarterback, especially one with a rebuilding offensive line. As a 6'3" (or 6'4", as some say) and 205-pound quarterback, he's got the right height to see over defensive lines. While he's on the slight side, he can add weight to help with that.
Eliot Wolf has gone for the gold early on and eschewed any trades down to ensure that he gets the right man in the most important position on the team, the quarterback. It's a counter-cultural move for the seemingly always willing to trade down Pats under Bill Belichick (who then largely proceeded to muff the added picks they'd secured).
No one knows if Daniels or anyone else will ultimately work out at quarterback or any other position in the first or any round of the draft, for that matter. It's all a guessing game. Yet, the odds are improved if you draft consensus players at positions you need, which Wolf has just done here. He's made a bold and clear statement: the Patriots are aiming to compete and compete now. With Daniels, a consensus dual-threat QB, now in tow, they may just do so right out of the shoot.
In the second round, the Patriots shore up another top offensive need.
Eliot Wolf and his team decide to stay true to the course of taking the best available player at positions of need on the Patriots' offense in the second round with their own 34th pick. It's no surprise that they go offensive tackle, and the best available is Tyler Guyton, a massive offensive left tackle from Oklahoma.
The mammoth, 6'7" tall, 327-pound Guyton is exactly what the Patriots will need to replace Trent Brown who's likely heading out of town. athlonsports.com describes some of his high points,
"The movement skills are pretty silly for how big, tall and heavy he is. Guyton can quickly drive out the blocks and overtake defenders with how much momentum he's capable of building in short spaces. It's impressive to see him explode into the second level and cut off linebackers just as much as it is to see him stepping down and attacking a 3-technique.
"Guyton’s fluidity throughout his frame is a big plus, as well. You can see the free-moving ability through his hips and core, which allows him to flash and react with grace and respond well when tested with quick penetration or a sharp redirection angle to attempt to cut underneath his block. His mobility here bodes well for power concepts and zone concepts alike in the run game to open his frame and play with power."
Athlon also points out Guyton's relative lack of experience as a possible shortcoming. But it says here that when a likely offensive left tackle has the right length, he's already a long way toward being able to get the job done. Height and length can't be taught. Other aspects of playing the position can.
Pats keep up the pace with a top wideout in the third round
Again, as in the second round, the Pats shore up their listless receiving corps with their own 68th pick by adding wide receiver Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky. The 5'11" tall and 200-pound Corley racked up 79 catches for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2023. Needless to say, he's no stranger to the end zone, which is exactly what the red zone-deficient Pats need.
bleacherreport.com comments on some of Corley's strengths,
"Corley is quick to transition himself into a runner, and he plays with decent burst, albeit mildly underwhelming for someone whose play style depends on it. He plays with a ton of strength and balance as well, which is where you really see his running back-like frame show up.
"Corley has enough long speed to break away as well. He isn't the type to completely ruin pursuit angles or anything, but he can separate and rip off explosive plays with a runway.
"Corley's hands are his best trait as a pass-catcher. Though he isn't a ball-winner in the air, Corley does an awesome job tracking the ball and can reliably catch passes outside of his frame. He has very natural hands."
Eliot Wolf has now begun stocking weapons for his new quarterback, Daniels. While Corley will be an excellent addition, it's still incumbent on Wolf to land one of the premier free-agent wide receivers available on the market. The Pats are purportedly poised to spend big in free agency, priority No. One should be on a No. 1 wide receiver.
Thus far, after three rounds, the Pats have added their future quarterback, a top offensive tackle, and a productive wide receiver. In so doing, they've added to their most needy positions on offense. Eliot Wolf should be delighted with his first two days managing the Patriot's draft room. The grade is high, and things are looking up.
In the fourth round, the Patriots double down on a critical offensive position.
In the fourth round, the Pats again look to strengthen their weakest position on the offensive line and take another big tackle, this time Blake Fisher from Notre Dame, with their one pick, No. 103. In so doing, they've added two top tackles to the offensive line and further shored up that dismal 2023 unit.
The draftnetwork.com notes these traits of Fisher,
"In the run game, Fisher will not displace bodies but consistently wins the leverage battle to shift opponents’ equilibrium to his advantage. Quick, spring-loaded hands to ‘win first’ inside the armpit of defenders. Once hands are clamped, the rep is usually over...
"In pass pro, Fisher showcases excellent footwork combined with vice grips for hands and a quick anchor. Attacks defensive ends, not allowing a runway to build speed. Excellent kick-slide and is rarely caught off balance. Will hinge at the waist to ‘lean’ on pass rushers after hands are attached to take the air out of a rep, slowly walking his feet back to neutral ground. High-level coaching is apparent due to his nuanced hand and leverage techniques to stymie rushers quickly. Excellent length."
Fisher played literally and figuratively in the shadow of his teammate, Notre Dame's 6'8" tall left tackle Joe Alt, who is a lock a top-10 or higher pick in this draft. At 6'6" tall and 311 pounds, Fisher is no small fry himself. After playing in Alt's shadow with the Fighting Irish, Fisher should be well-motivated to demonstrate his own prowess, compete for the starting left tackle position, and just maybe make it his own for the next ten years. That's exactly the right idea.
In the fifth round the Pats shore up the tight end position
Keeping with their strictly anti-Belichickian draft strategy, the Pats again hold onto their own pick in the fifth round, pick No. 135, and select another offensive position of need, tight end. The choice here is massive Penn State tight end Theo Johnson.
Big Patriots' tight ends have done rather well at times in recent years, from Ben Coates to the best of them all, Rob Gronkowski. Like Coates, also a fifth-round pick, that type of excellence would be unusual but certainly not unprecedented. Johnson was not a prolific pass-catcher in 2023, with only 34 catches for 343 yards. Yet, importantly, he did snag seven touchdown passes for the Nittany Lions, an asset the Pats need.
collegesportswire.usatoday.com had this to say about the big tight end,
"Most people have Ja’Tavion Sanders penciled into the second spot after Bowers but there is almost no clarity for who the third tight end off of the board might be. One name that was circulating a ton during the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl week was former Penn State standout Theo Johnson, who was one of the big winners at the event...
"Johnson proceeded to be largely considered the top performer at the position in attendance. He was smooth in drills, flashing straight-line speed and that massive catch radius. Add in his development upside as a blocker, and you have a player who could be a much better pro than what he was in college."
He's huge, performs well under pressure against top competition, and fills a huge need. Landing Johnson near the top of the fifth round is a big score for the Patriots. Eliot Wolf continues on the road that should be taken, fixing an offense in dire need of help all over the field. Theo Johnson is another excellent piece of the puzzle.
In the sixth round, the Pats go defense selecting a safety, and then a tight end in the seventh
The Patriots finally switch to the defensive side of the ball with their sixth-round pick, No. 181, and select Demani Richardson, a big safety from Texas A&M. With change possibility in the wind at the back of the defense, Richardson provides a big presence as a possible depth piece at 6'0" and 214 pounds. In 2023, he notched 59 total tackles with a sack and a forced fumble.
Never rule out the Patriots in the sixth round. They have a habit there (and in undrafted free agency) of snaring some outstanding players. One notable sixth-rounder who did rather well was a fellow named Tom Brady in 2000; Another was guard Mike Onwenu in 2021. You just never know in the NFL draft.
The Pats complete their 2024 draft in the seventh round with pick No. 228 obtained previously from the Chicago Bears, and they go right back to the tight end well to take another big target, BYU tight end Isaac Rex. The Cougars product stands 6'6" tall and weighs 247 pounds. Rex caught 34 for 342 yards and three touchdowns in 2023.
Rex, when added to fifth-rounder Theo Johnson, presents two huge bookend tight ends to not only provide massive targets for Jayden Daniels but also to move the pile in the running game and give the young QB time to ring up top numbers and leg-out big gainers when necessary. Bigger at the tight end position is usually better (unless your name is Brock Bowers!), and the Patriots need all the help they can get at the position, which is currently one of their weakest.
Summary
There it is, the late February 2024, 7-round mock draft geared to one thing: improving the Patriots' lackluster and unproductive offense. Did new de facto GM Eliot Wolf accomplish that in this mock draft? You decide, but the thought here is he did a nice job.
First, he added his quarterback of the future, Jayden Daniels, a multi-faceted quarterback who excels both at throwing and running the ball. For a rebuilding team, the latter skill will be of great value as the pieces are being put in place to dominate once again.
Assisting in all that, Wolf added two big offensive tackles in Tyler Guyton and Blake Fisher to help keep a clean pocket for Daniels and open up running lanes, as well. Belichick totally and inexcusably neglected this position in last year's 12-player draft. Wolf corrects that error of omission in style with two offensive tackles selected in the first four rounds. With these moves, Mr. Wolf demonstrates he "gets" the fact that if you have poor tackles, you have a poor offense. Period.
Then, to further bolster the weak offensive side of the ball, Wolf added a solid wide receiver in Malachi Corley and then two big tight ends in Theo Johnson and Isaac Rex. They provide size and catching ability at a position at which few bodies may even remain on the Pats after free agency.
To sum it all up, this is a solid draft by Wolf and is thankfully bereft of the trades down that were hallmarks of the Belichick era, without adding much additionally at all as a result. The verdict here on this draft is a solid A-/B+ for Wolf. How would you grade it?