ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text "THE PICK IS IN" for the New England Patriots during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NFL Draft week is finally here after months and months of scouting reports, projections, rankings, and of course mock drafts. So, as we wait for the final few days to pass before teams are actually on the clock, let’s change things up a little bit.

For the past two years in the week leading up to the draft I’ve put together this…I’m still not sure exactly what it is. Part mock draft, part big board, it’s been popular so it’s back for 2024.

—Everything Eliot Wolf said about the Patriots’ big three needs during his pre-draft press conference
—There’s already a favorite to win the Patriots’ starting left tackle job
—The Patriots are ‘open for business’ heading into the NFL Draft

The point of this exercise is to get familiar with the projected board at each of the Patriots’ eight currently-assigned draft spots, especially when it comes to positions of need. For each spot we’ll highlight eight players – six projected to go right around that range plus one player who could fall to them but is projected higher (stretch) and one player who they may logically reach for (reach).

For those who want to play along, this can also turn into a mock draft. Simply pick one player from each assigned spot. Try to limited yourself to only one stretch player, while using at least one reach player. For an added challenge, don’t look at the board ahead of time and decide your picks as you scroll through. If you want to share your mock draft on Twitter, you can tweet it at me @RealAlexBarth and I’ll share some of my favorites.

Round 1, Pick 3

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Drake Maye #10 of the North Carolina Tar Heels celebrates after a North Carolina Tar Heels touchdown in the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

— QB Drake Maye, UNC
— QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
— WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
— WR Malik Nabers, LSU
— OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
— TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
— QB Jayden Daniels, LSU (stretch)
— QB Michael Penix, Washington (reach)

O.K., so there are a few ‘reaches’ here by nature of this pick being at the top of the board. We had to get the options to eight players somehow, but realistically only five or six will get picked by those playing along – especially without trades.
Round 2, Pick 34

Oct 21, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia (78) prepares to block against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

— WR Xavier Worthy, Texas
— WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
— WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
— OL Jordan Morgan, Arizona
— OL Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
— DB Mike Sainristil, Michigan
— OL Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma (stretch)
— TE Ja’Tavion Snaders, Texas (reach)

There are a handful of receivers that could be in play here, but were sticking with Worthy and McConkey as the two highest-rated players on the board and adding Frankin, who the Patriots hosted for a pre-draft meeting. Could Xavier Legette get past the Panthers at 33? Would the Patriots be interested in Roman Wilson or Ricky Pearsall?

Tackle is a bit more cut and dry in this spot. Suamataia and Morgan will likely be on the board, while Guyton is a trade-up option. No quarterbacks here, representing the very real chance the top six get taken in the first round.
Round 3, Pick 68

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 14: Devontez Walker #9 of the North Carolina Tar Heels breaks away from Kamren Kinchens #5 of the Miami Hurricanes for a touchdown during the second half of their game at Kenan Memorial Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tar Heels won 41-31. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

— WR Jalen McMillan, Washington
— WR Tez Walker, UNC
— OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
— OT Patrick Paul, Houston
— RB Blake Corum, Michigan
— EDGE Austin Booker, Kansas
— CB Max Melton, Rutgers (stretch)
— QB Spencer Rattler, South Carolina (reach)
Round 4, Pick 103

COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 07: Cade Stover #8 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on October 07, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

— OT Roger Rosengarten, Washington
— WR Javon Baker, UCF
— TE Cade Stover, Ohio State
— RB Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
— CB Cam Hart, Notre Dame
— EDGE Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
— WR Brenden Rice, USC (stretch)
— QB Michael Pratt, Tulane (reach)

As Day 3 begins, it becomes less about drafting for position and more about just finding good football players. So, expect to see more positions start to appear on the board.
Round 5, Pick 137

Nov 25, 2022; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers offensive lineman Javon Foster (76) on the line against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

— TE Jared Wiley, TCU
— WR Luke McCaffrey, Rice
— RB Dylan Laube
— OT Javon Foster, Missouri
— LB Edefuan Ulofoshio, Washington
— IOL Zak Zinter, Michigan
— DT DeWayne Carter, Duke (stretch)
— EDGE Jaylx Hunt, Houston Christian (reach)

This pick is probably where the Patriots enter the range where they can realistically start doubling up at key positions. Tackle and wide receiver are the most obvious two such spots.
Round 6, Pick 180

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 14: Joe Milton III #7 of the Tennessee Volunteers runs the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies in the second quarter at Neyland Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

— EDGE Brennan Jackson, Washington State
— CB Chau Wade-Smith, Washington State
— K Joshua Karty, Stanford
— QB Joe Milton, Tennessee
— OT Walter Rouse, Olkahoma
— S James Williams, Miami
— EDGE Xavier Thomas, Clemson (stretch)
— TE AJ Barner, Michigan (reach)

This is the first of the Patriots’ two closest picks in the draft. They’re back on the board 13 spots later.
Round 6, Pick 193

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Evan Williams (33) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

— TE Tip Reiman, Illinois
— WR Bub Means, Pittsburgh
— DT Jordan Jefferson, LSU
— RB Dillon Johnson, Washington
— RB Cody Schrader, Missouri
— S Evan Williams, Oregon
— EDGE Nelson Caesar (stretch)
— LB Nathaniel Watson, Mississippi State (reach)

Just like that, back on the board again. Given how close together these picks are, for those playing along you could take two picks from the 180 or 193 spot, and no players from the other.
Round 7, Pick 231

Holy Cross’s Jalen Coker hauls in a pass for a first down over Merrimack’s Darion McKenzie in the third quarter Saturday at Fitton Field. (Syndication: Worcester Telegram)

— WR Jalen Coker, Holy Cross
— K Harrison Mevis, Missouri
— S Trey Taylor, Air Force
— OT Frank Crum, Wyoming
— QB Carter Bradley, South Alabama
— IOL Kingsley Eguakun, Florida
— WR Jordan Whittington, Texas (stretch)
— LB Jackson Sirmon, Cal (reach)

Wrapping up the draft with the Patriots’ final pick. Keep in mind that whatever player is selected here, he’ll most likely have to play on special teams to make the roster.
UDFAs: Offense

FRISCO, TEXAS – DECEMBER 19: Rasheen Ali #22 of the Marshall Thundering Herd runs with the ball during the first half of the Frisco Bowl against the UTSA Roadrunners at Toyota Stadium on December 19, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

— QB Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland
— RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall
— WR Isaiah Williams, Illinois
— TE Devin Culp, Washington
— OT Giovanni Manu, UBC
— IOL C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross
— K Brayden Narveson, NC State

For those feeling up for a challenge, pick an offensive UDFA to add to your draft class. We’ll do defense next.
UDFAs: Defense

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: Mark Perry #3 of the TCU Horned Frogs warms up before the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs at SoFi Stadium on January 09, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

— DT Justin Rogers, Auburn
— EDGE Jalen Green, James Madison
— LB Aaron Casey, Illinois
— CB Qwan’tez Stiggers, Toronto Argonauts
— S Mark Perry, TCU
— P Kyle Ostendorp, Arizona

That’s a wrap on our 2024 big board/mock draft! How’d you do?
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.