Patriots 4-round mock draft with mega-trades stuns the AFC East

Patriots finally get their wide receiver

With the next pick at No. 48 acquired from Jacksonville, Wolf again bolsters the wide receiver room by selecting Washington's 6'2" tall and 204-pound wide receiver, Ja'Lynn Polk. nfldraftbuzz.com outlines some of Polk's skillset,

"Ja'Lynn Polk presents a compelling case as a wide receiver prospect. His time at Washington has showcased his ability to be a reliable secondary option in the Washington offense. Polk's route-running stands out; he's nuanced and deceptive, able to keep defensive backs off-balance with his quick stops and sharp cuts. His proficiency in creating short-field leverage opens up opportunities for big plays, even against tighter coverage.

"Polk's physical tools are impressive. He demonstrates excellent body control and hand strength, allowing him to make challenging catches seem routine. This skill set enables him to effectively compensate for less-than-ideal throws, turning potential incompletions into receptions..."

Without a pick in the third, fourth, or fifth rounds, Wolf may now be content to take his haul of a top quarterback, a top offensive tackle, two solid wide receivers, and two additional premium picks in the 2025 draft and just let the rest of the draft play out. Or not! He still has picks in the sixth and seventh rounds to add depth, like another offensive tackle and a tight end or a running back.

Wolf can also trade 2025 mid-round picks for middle-rounders this year to take players he thinks might contribute right away. This makes perfect sense if he thinks another offensive tackle and/or a tight end or two would be worth that investment. Trading a player(s) for a mid-round pick or two is also an option (e.g., think quarterback Mac Jones and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux).

In addition, with presumably lots of cash to spend, Wolf can add a veteran offensive tackle and a tight end in free agency to help build up those positions. All in all, considering that this is not a one-year project but at least two, Wolf has set a nice foundation in place to complete the rebuild next offseason.

Eliot Wolf has maneuvered the NFL draft masterfully in his first draft at the controls of the New England Patriots personnel operation. He's added four players in premium rounds (the first and second) in key positions of need on his offense. That was exactly the right thing to do.

Most importantly, one of those choices, his first-round pick, is his quarterback of the future, Jayden Daniels. After all, that's the most important part of the whole equation, is it not? Additionally, he has stocked up for the 2025 NFL draft with two additional top draft picks. If we see a farsighted draft like this from Eliot Wolf this April, the grade here has to be a solid A++. It can't be anything else.

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