The New England Patriots' offseason is, as usual, teetering on the brink of ruination. To say their free agency efforts have been lackluster would be glorifying that term. It's been a colossal dud. Can anyone say they've improved significantly, well ... anywhere?
If not, then what was the point of these signings? That was free agency.
In any event, general manager-in-training Eliot Wolf still has the 2024 NFL draft to bail him out of the less-than-stellar auspicious kickoff of his term. The thought here is he'll need to ace that aspect of the offseason teambuilding, if he wants to extend his tenure as the top personnel man in Foxborough.
So, here we go. It's only about a month until the draft starts, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's ushering the proceedings into session. It's a great time of the year for draftniks and fans of any NFL team. So LET's GO! Let's conduct the draft that Eliot Wolf should ... beginning with the third pick overall in the draft, and hope he does as well.
Note: Thanks to sportskeeda for the use of their mock draft simulator.
Patriots select Drake Maye, QB, UNC with 3rd overall pick
With the Pats' first pick, Wolf takes a quarterback projected to the Pats by many observers. The first two picks make the pick easier; the other two of the top-three quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, are off the board.
The Pats waste no time and select dual-threat (pass and run) quarterback Drake Maye from North Carolina. It's a no-brainer, and he's the quarterback of the future who can do it all. "Nuf said, it's a great pick. We move on from there after a terrific start to this draft.
Patriots select Devontez Walker, WR, UNC with pick 34
In the second round, with the Pats' own pick, No. 34, Wolf loads up the wide receiver room with Maye's former target from North Carolina, wideout Devontez Walker. The 6'1 1/2", 193-pound Walker ran a blistering 4.36 forty-yard dash at the combine. Add a 40.5" vertical, and you've got a receiver who has the physical skills to excel. Walker caught 41 for 699 and seven TDs in 2023.
Expect Walker to start on the outside for the Patriots and catch lots more passes from his former Tarheel teammate, Drake Maye. With his first two picks, Wolf has already solidified two key positions of need, most importantly, on offense. So far, so good for the interim general manager.
Patriots select Patrick Paul, OT, Houston 68th overall
With the Pats' final pick in the three rounds, Wolf keeps the team's own pick and again addresses a position of uber-need. This time is a huge Houston offensive tackle, Patrick Paul. He's the left tackle the Patriots need, and he should start from Day One.
With the Pats' next pick, their own No. 68 in the third round, Wolf continues to address huge needs on offense. This time, he selects Houston's massive offensive left tackle, Patrick Paul. Paul should start from Day One or soon thereafter. He measures 6'7 and 1/2" tall and weighs 331 pounds with an enormous 36 1/4" wingspan. He's a prototypical left tackle. Wolf is acing his first draft thus far.
bleacherreport.com talks about the big tackle's positives,
"Paul shows good quickness out of his stance with a mixture of 45-degree/angle and vertical sets to get to his landmarks on time. He has the range to expand his set points and stay attached against high-side rushes, too.
"Paul casts a wide net with his length, utilizing a circle punch to evade the cross-chop and has good stopping power in his anchor to strain and dissipate the bull rush. He also brings a tone-setting demeanor, consistently driving his feet through the whistle looking to bury opponents."
Patriots select Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida with 106th pick
First, they trade picks 103 & 180 to Titans for 106 and 146
Wolf has now shorn up the quarterback, wide receiver, and left tackle positions in the first three rounds. By all accounts, it's already an A+ draft here. But he's not finished reshaping his lackluster offense. In the fourth round, he works a slight trade-down, sending the Pats picks No. 103 in the fourth round and 180 in the sixth to Tennessee for their picks No. 106 in the fourth and 146th in the fifth round.
The Patriots' wide receiver room stinks, so Wolf doubles down on that position and drafts Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall from Florida. Pearsall will compete for a starting role. The 6'1" tall, 200-pound receiver caught 65 for 965 yards and four TDs for the Gators in 2023. Expect Pearsall to oust one of 2023's shoddy receivers.
Pearsall perfectly complements Walker and Demario Douglas as a go-to 2nd receiver. Here's what nfldraftbuzz.com has to say about the Florida receiver.
"Ricky Pearsall presents as a versatile WR with a keen ability to patrol the middle of the field, despite some limitations in his deep speed. His prowess in making contested catches and executing intricate routes compensates for his lack of elite breakaway speed. Pearsall's value lies in his playmaking through savvy route running. In the draft, Pearsall projects as a solid Day 2 or Day 3 pick. His ceiling might not be sky-high due to a lack of explosiveness, but his knack for spectacular catches and adaptability - including special teams - make him a valuable asset. His fit seems optimal as a slot receiver in an 11-personnel setup, where his route-running acumen can be fully leveraged."
Patriots select Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State, with 137th pick
In the fifth round, with their own pick at 137, Wolf adds to his veteran tight end room and selects Cade Stover, a pass-catching tight end from Ohio State. The Buckeye ran a solid 4.65 forty at the combine, measuring 6'4" tall and 245 pounds. nfl.com has this to say about Stover,
"Catch first, block second tight end whose jump in play as a receiving threat is going to be hard to ignore. Stover is a tight end conversion from the defensive side of the ball. He’s a little clunky getting off the line but really picks up the pace as the route unfolds. He starred as a high school hooper and that same athleticism can be found in his route running, high-point timing and run after catch. Stover possesses the tools to move in a positive direction as a run blocker but needs to upgrade his grit at the point of attack and effort as a move blocker. He’s an upside prospect with the potential to play in-line or flexed out and should become a productive starter within a couple of years."
Patriots select Christian Jones, T, Texas, with 146th pick
With their second fifth-rounder acquired from Tennessee, Wolf further bolsters the needy offensive tackle position and selects Christian Jones, a tackle from Texas. nfldraftbuzz.com notes this about the 6'5" tall and 301-pound right tackle,
"In 2023 as a fifth year senior Jones saw action in 12 games and played a total of 834 snaps for the Longhorns. He allowed 8 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and no sacks while playing at right tackle."
That's additional developmental depth at right tackle and a possible replacement for Mike Onwenu, if he moves back inside to guard at some point. He's another young piece of the puzzle for the offensive tackle position, which needed a total overhaul this offseason.
Patriots select Max Melton, CB, Rutgers, with 193rd pick
The Pats' final two picks are defensive backs. These are depth moves. First, with their own pick, No. 193, the team selects cornerback Max Melton from Rutgers. Melton is of decent size at 5'11" and weighs 187 pounds, but his best physical assets are his speed and leaping ability.
He ran a quick 4.39 forty with an awesome 40.5" vertical. This is another solid pick as Wolf departs for the first time from bolstering the offense. There is no problem with that at this point.
Patriots select Tykee Smith, DB, Georgia, with pick 231
And to wrap things up, in the seventh round, Wolf selects another depth defensive back, Tykee Smith, from the perennial ACC powerhouse, Georgia. Smith had a great 2023 season, racking up 70 total tackles with two sacks and a solid four Interceptions.
He's just what the doctor ordered for a late-round pick with the Pats having needs at defensive back.
Eliot Wolf has added a top-three quarterback, a top outside receiver, his potential if not immediate starting left tackle and right tackle, a very good possession-type receiver, a tight end who can catch it, and two depth-defensive backs.
This scenario would be an excellent three days of work for the new de facto general manager. This draft is exactly what the New England Patriots need. Wolf would have drafted consensus players exactly where the team needed them, primarily on offense, and also added defensive backfield depth. If he maneuvers this draft or one similar, the only grade that can be assigned here is an A+++.