Patriots select defensive back Marcellas Dial in sixth round of 2024 draft
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 26: Marcellas Dial #24 of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates breaking up a Clemson Tigers third down pass in the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
With the 180th pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected defensive back Marcellas Dial out of South Carolina.
The Patriots’ announcement of the pick lists Dial as a safety, but his draft profile at NFL.com lists him as a cornerback. He started all 12 games at corner for the Gamecocks as a redshirt senior in 2023, making a team-high 10 bass breakups. He also made 36 tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
NFL.com draft expert Lace Zierlein says in his scouting report: “Dial’s pre-snap recognition and instincts fall below the mark and his run support is below average. He could be a late-round pick but might struggle to make a team.”
Dial became the Patriots’ first 2024 draft pick on the defensive side of the ball. The team made its first five picks in a row on offense for the first time since 1969, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
The Patriots did have a need for depth in the secondary, behind No. 1 cornerback Christian Gonzalez. If they do in fact view Dial as a safety, then he’ll join a room that includes Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Jaylinn Hawkins, Joshuah Bledsoe, and special teamer Brenden Schooler.
As of this writing, the Pats still have two more selections, at No. 193 in the sixth round and No. 231 in the seventh round.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Check out all of Matt’s content.
Wide receiver Javon Baker showed plenty of confidence after being drafted by the Patriots
One thing that’s quickly apparent about wide receiver Javon Baker? He’s a quote machine.
Baker was drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Saturday, 110th overall. That represented a bit of a fall for Baker, who some projected to be a top-100 pick.
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Baker himself clearly felt the wait. After getting drafted he joined Instagram live. “It took too f—ing long. You’ve gotta pay,” he said while celebrating.
When he joined this conference call with Patriots reporters shortly after his pick, Baker’s confidence was clear. He had plenty to say with multiple quotes going viral on social media.
Outspoken wide receivers are nothing new in the NFL. Many of the league’s best stars at the position have also been some of the best headline-makers. Baker is right out of the Terrell Owens-Chad Ochocinco-Steve Smith era of the league, based off of what he had to say on Saturday.
If there’s one thing the Patriots won’t have to worry about with Baker, it’s confidence. Here are the highlights from his introductory call with the media on Saturday (you can watch the full thing here)…
Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.
