Oh, you thought we were done with mock drafts? Think again.
On Thursday night, the New England Patriots kicked of their 2024 NFL Draft by selecting North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall. While that pick will get the majority of the attention, the Patriots are still scheduled to make seven more picks over the next two days.
—Drake Maye is exactly the kind of quarterback the Patriots needed to gamble on
—Drafting Drake Maye isn’t the end of a process for the Patriots, it’s the beginning
—Full Patriots coverage
The Patriots still have plenty of needs left they need to fill as well. Asked on Thursday night about how the organization can support Maye, de facto general manager Eliot Wolf noted that “we need to add some weapons to the offense [and] we need to shore up the offensive line,” referencing the two remaining of the Patriots’ three big needs (along with quarterback) heading into the draft. Cornerback, safety, edge rusher, running back, and tight end have also been viewed as needs for the Patriots.
How many of those needs will get filled on Day 2? Day 3? Will have to wait until next year? Knowing what we know now from the first round, let’s project forward with a mid-draft mock draft for the Patriots, who will be back on the clock almost right away tomorrow with the 34th pick (the second pick of the day). Will they stay there, or take advantage of that pick’s tremendous value in a trade? Let’s get started on Day 2…
Trade!
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the NFL Scouting Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Patriots get:
— 39th overall pick (2nd round)
— 101st overall pick (4th round)Panthers get:
— 34th overall pick (2nd round)
There was serious consideration to just taking Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean here, as he’s the best player on the board after Day 1. However, two things led to trading down instead.
First, as much as everybody thinks the Bills need a receiver, DeJean would actually be a logical fit for a team that lost multiple key players in its secondary this offseason including safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, and cornerback Tre’Davious White. The Bills, who met with DeJean multiple times during the pre-draft process, may take him before the Patriots get a chance.
Second, during his press conference Thursday night Wolf reiterated something he said during his pre-draft press conference last week, suggesting a trade down. “We have seven more picks, and we’ll probably move around a little bit. Hopefully acquire some more picks,” he said Thursday night.
So, that’s what we have the Patriots doing. This trade is modeled after a deal in 2022 between the Giants and Falcons, when New York moved back from 38 for 43 and 114. Yes, this is a bit of a weird trade for the Panthers after they just moved up from 33 to 32 a few hours ago. But, the Panthers are a weird organization that has done some weird things in recent years. Don’t rule anything out with them.
Round 2, Pick 39 (from CAR):
WR Troy Franklin, Oregon
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 14: Troy Franklin #11 of the Oregon Ducks catches a touchdown against the Washington Huskies during the third quarter at Husky Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Right away, the Patriots get to work finding players for Maye to throw the ball to. Franklin, who was projected by some to be a first-round pick, falls a bit with other receivers like AD Mitchell, Ladd McConkey, and Keon Coleman making it to Day 2 and the Patriots take advantage. They hosted Franklin for a top-30 visit leading up to the draft, so there’s reason to believe they’re interested in him.
Yes, there are some similarities to Tyquan Thornton’s game with Franklin. He’s 6-foot-2, 176 pounds, and primarily wins with his speed. However, he’s a much more nuanced route-runner than Thornton was coming out of Baylor, and is generally smoother with his movements which also leads to him being better after the catch. Putting on strength will be on Franklin’s to-do list.
Round 3, Pick 68:
OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
Oct 7, 2023; Louisville, Kentucky, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Blake Fisher (54) blocks Louisville Cardinals defensive lineman Jermayne Lole (90) during the first half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium. Louisville defeated Notre Dame 33-20. Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
At Notre Dame, Fisher was initially a left tackle until he got hurt and Joe Alt took over at that spot. He returned as the team’s starting right tackle in each of the last two seasons.
At 6-foot-6, 310 pounds Fisher has true swing tackle potential with starter upside. That’s valuable to a Patriots team whose tackle position is currently in flux. He plays more explosive than his size (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) but will need to do everything faster at the next level. The Patriots spent time working with Fisher at his pro day, and hosted him for a top 30 visit.
Round 4, Pick 101 (from CAR):
OT Caedan Wallace, Penn State
Penn State offensive lineman Caedan Wallace (73) prepares for a play during a White Out football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions shut out the Hawkeyes, 31-0. (Dan Rainville/USA Today Network)
The Patriots go back-to-back tackles to close Day 2 and begin Day 3. Wallace started 40 games at right tackle for the Nittany Lions over the past four seasons. He’s a physical blocker who plays with good power and solid footwork at 6-foot-5, 314 pounds.
In the NFL he should be able to play some guard, as well as provide right tackle snaps making him a valuable depth player right away with a chance to become a starter down the road. The Patriots hosted Wallace for a top 30 visit.
Round 4, Pick 103:
S Kam Kinchens, Miami
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 18: Kamren Kinchens #5 of the Miami Hurricanes intercepts a pass intended for Jamari Thrash #1 of the Louisville Cardinals during the first quarter of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Given Alonzo Highsmith’s influence, it’s hard to see the Patriots getting out of this draft without at least one Miami player. Kinchens makes the most sense, as he can give the Patriots a free safety option in situations where they want to put Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers both in the box.
Kinchens struggled at the Combine, but looks like a much better athlete on tape than his testing numbers show. If Highsmith corroborates that fact then the Patriots could view Kinchens – who was originally projected as a top-50 pick – as a tremendous value pick here to start Day 3.
Round 5, Pick 137:
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA – SEPTEMBER 30: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #3 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs the ball as Kenenna Odeluga #39 of the Illinois Fighting Illini pursues during the first half at Ross-Ade Stadium on September 30, 2023 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
If the Patriots want to be well-rounded in their approach of putting players around Maye, they should look to add a running back at some point in the draft. They sent running backs coach Taylor Embree to Tracy’s pro day, so it seems like they’re interested.
A converted receiver, Tracy played his first season as a full-time running back last year and ran for 716 yards on 6.3 yards per carry. He fits the mold of the do-it-all back the Patriots have targeted in recent years. In 2024 Tracy would be an upgrade over Kevin Harris in the RB3 role, then could step into a bigger role next year if Rhamondre Stevenson leaves in free agency. He also has special teams upside both as a returner and coverage player. There’s some Brandon Bolden in his game, while NFL.com has him comped to Bilal Powell.
Round 6, Pick 180:
DT Jordan Jefferson, LSU
Oct 7, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers running back Nathaniel Peat (8) runs the ball and is tackled by LSU Tigers defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson (99) and LSU Tigers linebacker Whit Weeks (40) during the second half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
On the Patriots’ defensive line, every player but Keion White and Sam Roberts is on an expiring contract in 2024. The position will need to be re-stocked over the next few years, so getting ahead of that now isn’t a bad idea.
Jefferson could certainly help with that. He’s more of an attacking defensive tackle than a block-eater, but the Patriots have been more open to that role in recent years – a trend that will likely continue in Jerod Mayo and DeMarcus Covington’s more aggressive defense. Jefferson would add depth behind Christian Barmore, Armon Watts, and Daniel Ekuale, and could replace Watts or Ekuale as the second-string player in this role if one or both leave in free agency next year. Jefferson stood out at the LSU pro day, where the Patriots had a significant contingent.
Round 6, Pick 193:
TE Tanner McLachlan, Arizona
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 23: Tanner McLachlan #84 of the Arizona Wildcats scores a touchdown on a reception against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half of the game at Stanford Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)
The Patriots don’t have an immediate need at tight end, but developing a long-term option behind Hunter Henry would make sense. That could be McLachlan, who the Patriots hosted for a visit late in the process. At Arizona McLachlan set the school record for career touchdowns, beating out former Patriot Rob Gronkowski.
McLachlan’s motor and effort instantly stand out, and will help him contribute immediately on special teams while he develops as a pass catcher. In that part of his game he’s a good hands catcher and can create after the catch, but needs to work on his route running.
Round 7, Pick 231
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – NOVEMBER 05: Jarquez Hunter #27 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Nathaniel Watson #14 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Davis Wade Stadium on November 05, 2022 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Sticking with the special teams theme, Watson is a sure tackler who takes on blocks with physicality and knows how to bring down ball carriers in space. That skillset makes him an ideal fit in kickoff coverage with the new rules. He’d also add some early-down off-ball linebacker depth as well behind Ja’Whaun Bentley. Watson was one of the first players to visit Foxborough this year on a top-30 visit.
