The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, but teams don’t have much time to reflect on their top picks. They’ll be on the clock for Day 2 before they know it.
One team that will be on the clock right away is the New England Patriots. They hold the second pick of Day 2, 34th overall. They sit there with multiple needs to fill on both sides of the ball. They also own the 68th overall pick, early in the third round.
—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
—Patriots mid-draft mock draft
Of course, there are the two big needs at tackle and wide receiver. Runs on both positions in the first round means there’s less talent than expected at both spots – especially tackle – but the Patriots will have options picking so high in the second round.
Don’t rule out the Patriots either using one of their two scheduled Day 2 picks on another position, or potentially adding a third top-100 pick at some point either. Other needs that could be addressed in the top 100 include cornerback, safety, and edge rusher. Defensive tackle, tight end and running back could also be in play later on Day 2, if the Patriots really want to get aggressive in putting skill position players around first-round pick Drake Maye.
Before the Patriots get back on the clock, here’s a look at the top remaining players at each position of need expected to go on Day 2, and where the Patriots may need to take them…
Offensive tackle
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
At 34:
— Kingsley Suamataia, BYU
Between 34 & 68:
— Patrick Paul, Houston
— Kiran Amedgadjie, YaleAt 68:
— Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
— Roger Rosengarten, WashingtonLate Day 2:
— Christian Jones, Texas
The tackle class thinned out with with seven players at the position going in the first 29 picks. If the Patriots want to find a player who may be ready to start in Year 1, they’ll need to act quick. After Paul, this group is mainly high-level project players.
Wide receiver
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Texas Longhorns catches a touchdown pass against Elijah Jackson #25 of the Washington Huskies during the fourth quarter during the CFP Semifinal Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on January 01, 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
At 34:
— AD Mitchell, Texas
— Ladd McConkey, Georgia
— Troy Franklin, Oregon
— Keon Coleman, Florida StateBetween 34 and 68:
— Roman Wilson, Michigan
— Ja’Lynn Polk, Washington
— Malachi Corley, Western KentuckyAt 68:
— Jalen McMillan, Washington
— Tez Walker, UNC
— Javon Baker, UCFLate Day 2:
— Jermaine Burton, Alabama
— Johnny Wilson, Florida State
— Brenden Rice, USCThere’s much more depth at receiver than tackle, even with seven wide receivers going in the first round. The overall talent in this class is just insane. Will the Patriots take advantage of that depth and wait on a receiver, or capitalize on their positioning and grab one of the fringe-first-round wideouts at the top of the board that made it to Day 2?
Cornerback
Oct 21, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean (3) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
At 34:
— Cooper DeJean, Iowa
— Kool-Aid McKinstry, Alabama
— Ennis Rakestraw Jr., MissouriBetween 34 & 68:
— Mike Sainristil, Michigan
— T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
— Kamari Lassiter, Georgia
— Max Melton, RutgersAt 68:
— Andru Phillips, Kentucky
Late Day 2:
— Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri
— Khyree Jackson, Oregon
— Cam Hart, Notre DameWith so many offensive players going in the first round, a lot of defensive talent fell. DeJean and McKinstry were both heavily projected as first-round pick. Now, DeJean feels like the best player available and McKinstry isn’t far behind. Both are listed as cornerbacks but are hybrid defensive backs who can play safety as well. DeJean in particular can play free safety, a spot the Patriots have had open since Devin McCourty’s retirement. Will they fill that role at the start of Day 2?
Safety
Aug 31, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive back Tyler Nubin (27) celebrates a stop against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
At 34:
— Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Between 34 & 68:
— Javon Bullard, Georgia
— Jaden Hicks, WashingtonAt 68:
— Cole Bishop, Utah
Late Day 2:
— Calen Bullock, USC
— Kamren Kinchens, Miami
— Dadrion Taylor-Demerson, Texas TechNo safeties went in the first round this year, so that position is still the same as it looked when the draft began. Nubin, the top safety in this year’s class, is a potential Day 1 starter in a deep safety role. The late Day 2 safeties are also all free safeties, and intriguing options for the Patriots if they move down and add an extra Day 2 pick.
EDGE Rusheer
Sep 17, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Bralen Trice (8) celebrates a safety against the Michigan State Spartans during the first quarter at Alaska Airlines Field at Husky Stadium. Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
At 34:
— Chris Braswell, Alabama
Between 34 & 68:
— Adisa Isaac, Penn State
— Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
— Bralen Trice, WashingtonAt 68:
— Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
— Jonah Elliss, Utah
— Austin Booker, KansasLate Day 2:
–Mohamed Kamara, Colorado State
— Gabriel Murphy, UCLAPlenty of edge talent left on the board. Austin Booker is a player to watch here, after the Patriots hosted him for a top-30 visit.
Defensive line
CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 05: Jer’Zhan Newton #4 of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after a sack during the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2022 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
At 34:
— Jer’Zahn Newton, Illinois
Between 34 & 68:
— Braden Fiske, Florida State
— Kris Jenkins, MichiganAt 68:
— Michael Hall, Ohio State
— Ruke Orhorhoro, ClemsonLate Day 2:
— T’Vondre Sweat, Texas
— Maason Smith, LSU
— DeWayne Carter, DukeThe Patriots only have two defensive linemen – Keion White and Sam Roberts – under contract beyond 2024. It’s a position they need to start thinking about the future at. Could that mean a Day 2 pick this year?
Tight end
Oct 28, 2023; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (0) makes a catch over Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Graham Gillespie (38) during the second half at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Credit: Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports
At 34:
— None
Between 34 & 68:
— Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
At 68:
— None
Late Day 2:
— Ben Sinnott, Kansas State
— Cade Stover, Ohio StateThe Patriots will most likely wait on a thin tight end class. But ruling out any offensive skill position entirely feels a bit strong at this point.
Running back
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 11: Blake Corum #2 of the Michigan Wolverines carries the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
At 34:
— None
Between 34 & 68:
— Trey Benson, Florida State
— Blake Corum, Michigan
— Jonathon Brooks, TexasAt 68:
— None
Late Day 2:
–MarShawn Lloyd, USC
— Braelon Allen, WisconsinAnother position the Patriots will likely wait on. But, with an emphasis, on “weaponizing the offense” we won’t rule it out entirely.
