The New England Patriots draft status didn't change after the improbable win at Pittsburgh. Their first remains No. 2 overall and all types of options await. In this second 2024 mock draft, the Patriots and their possible new Head of Football Operations stun the entire NFL with a dramatic change of draft philosophy if not execution.
2024 NFL New England Patriots Mock Draft
The Patriots need offensive help. In the Mock Draft No. 2, they get a lot of it. The Pats need additions all over the offense, especially at offensive tackle, quarterback, and the skill positions. In this Mock, they fill some of these with aplomb. Let's go with this next version, Mock Draft 2 for 2024.
The Patriots address arguably their most pressing need overall, offensive tackle, and more specifically, offensive left tackle (OLT). The team must prepare for the future with Trent Brown's contract expiring after the 2023 season. Even if they decide to re-sign Brown, a question mark at present, they still need to draft an OLT high. In this draft, they do just that.
Round 1, pick 5: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
With the No. 2 pick in the draft, the Pats decide to maximize their position and trade down with Chicago for their No. 5 pick and the 71st pick in the third round. With the 5th pick, the team addresses one of their top two needs and drafts mammoth offensive tackle, Joe Alt from Notre Dame.
Here's what Pro Football reference has to say about Alt, their No. 2 tackle overall,
"At 6-foot-8, Alt brings elite size to offensive tackle. He's been even better this year at using that size and length to his advantage, yet he maintains technique with leverage to mitigate any natural weaknesses."
Alt is PFF's second-rated OT in the 2024 draft, and he fills a gigantic need with a mammoth presence. New England has traditionally (though not recently) preferred long offensive left tackles. Alt fills the bill. Whether he begins his NFL career starting Day One at ORT or if Brown is re-signed, he'll eventually be the left tackle. He's a foundational piece. And a stellar pick after an astute trade-down.
Round 2, pick 34: QB Bo Nix, Oregon
New England Patriots continue filling offensive needs with premium picks
In the second round, with their pick at No. 34, the Patriots address their second most glaring need: quarterback. They select Oregon's dual-threat QB, Bo Nix. Nix featured in Mock Draft No. 1 here, and there's indeed a pattern. He's just what the doctor ordered for a Patriots offense that needs a dual-threat quarterback who can throw and run. Nix fits the bill.
Draftdive.com has this to say about the Oregon Duck,
"Bo Nix, the dynamic quarterback from Oregon, has captured the attention of football enthusiasts with his multifaceted skill set. At first glance, Nix possesses a strong and accurate arm, showcasing his ability to make throws at various levels of the field. His athleticism adds an exciting dimension to his game, allowing him to extend plays with his legs and escape pressure effectively. Nix’s improvisational skills have become a trademark of his play ..."
"Strong and accurate arm, improvisational skills, and athleticism", those traits are exactly what the boring, predictable New England Patriots need. Nix fits the bill and if he can be secured in the second round, a tremendous "value pick", if anyone cares about that.
Round 3, pick 66: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma
With the 66th pick in the third round, the Patriots do what needs to be done. It ain't glitzy, but it's reality. The Pats double up and take another offensive tackle, Tyler Guyton from Oklahoma. Two offensive tackles early in the draft? Indeed. Here's what athlonsports.com has to say about the Oklahoma tackle,
"Guyton has elite length along with solid first-step quickness and agility, making him an intriguing projection into a zone-heavy rushing scheme. With appropriate NFL weight on his frame and ample room to grow, he's a high-upside prospect who may find himself playing sooner rather than later upon his transition to the pros, even if he’s still a bit raw."
Guyton is 6'7' tall and 327 pounds fits the bill for the future Patriots' right tackle. He and Alt will form a massive partnership of bookend tackles to lead the Patriots into their next generation of dynastic success.
Round 3, pick 71: WR Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
New England Patriots continue the offensive build-up in mid-rounds with skill players
With their second third-round pick, No. 71 acquired from Chicago, the Patriots add wide receiver, Malachi Corley from Western Kentucky. Profootballnetwork.com talks about Corley, and has a nice comparison player.
"The last time we saw a receiver like Corley enter the NFL was with Deebo Samuel. Like Samuel, Corley has a lower center of gravity and can break tackles at an incredibly unusual rate for the position. And with the NFL embracing more quick passes, the value of someone like Corley rises.
"Corley blends his strength with impressive acceleration to avoid direct hits and erase pursuit angles. Because of this, Western Kentucky has maximized his number of touches from the slot and on screens. Until the 2023 season, Corley was more of an offensive weapon than a pure receiver."
Round 4 - WR Johnny Wilson, Florida State
In the fourth round, the Pats hammer away at offensive skill positions and draft another wide receiver, Johnny Wilson, from Florida State. Profootballnetwork.com calls Wilson "unique," and his size is just that. He's 6'7" tall and weighs 237 pounds. Here's what they had to say earlier this year,
"Wilson’s combination of size and speed shouldn’t be legal. After toiling for two years at Arizona State, the former four-star recruit got a chance to put it on display in Florida State’s offense in 2022. Emerging as a top receiving threat for Jordan Travis, Wilson caught 43 passes for 897 yards and five touchdowns, averaging over 20 yards per catch and earning second-team All-ACC honors."
Round 5 - TE Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
The Patriots' last pick in this 5-round mock draft stays true to form as they continue their offensive outburst, this time selecting gargantuan tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford of Minnesota. Spann-Ford isn't a prolific pass-catcher but at 6'7" tall, and 270 pounds, like Wilson, he's a huge target for the next Patriots starting quarterback and will be expected to throw his weight around as a blocker.
Athlonsports.com has this to say about the Golden Gophers' gigantic tight end earlier this year,
"An intriguing talent, this 6-foot-7 towering presence has been a gradually developing presence at Minnesota and will be making the leap to the NFL after a super-senior season and looking to climb the tight end rankings in a gifted class of mismatch players at the position.
"Spann-Ford has a significant ceiling as both a receiving threat and a blocker at the NFL level. With his length and stature, he can be a middle of the field target and contested catch player. As a blocker, his wingspan and raw size makes him a formidable presence to develop and continue to work with. He may face a transition to the pro game, but then again most tight ends do."
That's it; the exciting post-Pittsburgh win version of Mock Draft No. 2. Stay tuned for more Mock drafts as the season transitions from active to the offseason for the now playoff-eliminated Patriots. More will be on the way. But for now, this would qualify as a blockbuster offensive draft for the New England Patriots, would it not?