The Patriots Path To The NFL Draft
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 28: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels passes against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the fourth quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Patriots are 2-7 and currently have the 5th pick in the draft entering week 10. They will have crucial games against the New York Giants and Denver Broncos when it comes to finishing in the top 5. There is plenty of talent in the 2024 NFL Draft class. As for impact players to turn around the Patriots, drafting in the top 3 is very important. The top two quarterbacks in the draft are Caleb Williams and Drake Maye. The best offensive player outside of quarterback is Marvon Harrison Jr. If you finish with the 3rd pick, you can land a premiere receiver to work with Mac Jones or if they upgrade at the position in the offseason.
After the top 3, the best offensive tackles will be available. Ulu Fashanu of Penn State and Joe Alt of Notre Dame. The Patriots need help at the tackle position and could have their cornerstone for years to come. But it is not exciting and ultimately may not impact the team right away. The Patriots drafted a guard in the first round selecting Cole Stange in 2022. The draft has plenty of talent after the top five. Michael Penix and Bo Nix should be first round selections. There will be plenty of receivers available but none with the potential of Harrison. The Patriots should not even look on the defensive side of the football in the early rounds of the draft. Although, there are premiere pass rushers within the top 10 it may not be a pressing need.
Top 5 NFL Projections
1. Caleb Williams QB USC
2. Drake Maye QB North Carolina
3. Marvin Harrison Jr. WR Ohio State
4. Olu Fashanu- OT Penn State
5. Joe Alt OT Notre Dame
We will follow the path tracker each week to see where the Patriots are projecting. The Colts, Giants, Chargers, Steelers and Broncos are all winnable games. They are certainly feeling the heat in Foxboro and losing may be what is best for the team and the future,
Listen to joe Murray discuss the path to the draft
Joe Murray has worked behind the scenes and on-air in New England since 2007. Murray was born and raised in Boston (Hyde Park) and is now living on the North Shore in Peabody. A graduate of CSB School of Broadcasting, Joe was hired at 98.5 The Sports Hub in 2011 and is the host of Patriots Postgame and the Over/Under Podcast with Dan Lifshatz. Joe was hired as the full-time night show host in 2023, and a featured guest for “The Weekly Spread” on NBC Sports Boston during football season. Joe writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
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