PatsPropaganda

An Independent Patriots Blog

New England Patriots Draftermath results 2024!

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It feels like it’s been a long road but we are finally here, the draftermath 2024!

For a full argumentative breakdown don’t forget to catch episodes 26 and 27 of Pats Procrastination on the Pats Propaganda Youtube channel, hosted by myself and Chudders from Manchester. 

And so, to compliment those shows (and bring you the fun content you should be used to from me by now!) I have put together a snack size delicacy of the rookies drafted by the NEP for this year!

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina. Yeah I know, like you didn’t already know everything about this kid, but he was the number three pick in the NFL draft he deserves a small amount of page. 

The youngest brother of a group of athletic young men, Drake Maye feels like the quintessential upgrade on the typical Patriots type quarterback. He has his football smarts, a strong arm and mobility… mobility people!!

Sure, this seasons Patriots number 10 isn’t the most mobile quarterback in the 2024 draft, but he definitely can move and make plays with his legs. 

Maye has some improvements to make, particularly on his footwork, but nobody is perfect, and with the addition of Jacoby Brissett, not so little Mr Maye, has a little bit of breathing room to truly be the Patriots next franchise quarterback. (Oh please… please!) 

You know I like me some measurables so if you aren’t interested you can tap out for a minute (just kidding! please do keep reading!) Drake Maye – 21 years of age, 6 foot 4 and a half inches, 225 pounds, 32 and a quarter inch arms and 9 and an eight inch hands. 

Caeden Wallace of Penn State was the offensive line selection that many of us were waiting for, kind of. Sure, the 68th overall selection possibly wasn’t the offensive tackle many of Patriots Nation were expecting, but this may be one of those sneaky cheeky picks the Patriots make that maybe not everyone realised the full potential (chess verses chequers anyone?). 

Whilst Wallace played right tackle for all of his college career that may be a product of him playing on the same team as first round draft pick, now New Jersey Jet, Olu Fashanu. So, it remains to be seen where Wallace lines up when September rolls around, but the current Patriots o-line is a work in progress, and they have definitely added pieces. Let’s just hope that game of chess works out… 

I could pretty much write very similar as above for the Patriots fourth round, number 103 draft selection Layden Robinson of Texas A&M. Robinson has been described as “an absolute freight train in the running game” which might be exactly what the re-building offensive line needs. Robinson has been a pure right guard and presently the unofficial Patriots roster shows Sidy Sow in that role, but with Cole Strange being a question mark and the versatility of many of the players in the offensive line room at the moment, we may need a little patience to find out where Robinson lines up. 

The Pats didn’t only draft two o-linemen, they selected two similar sized wide receivers too. Trading back a little (and forwards a little in the fourth round) with the Chargers, the Patriots selected Ja’Lynn Polk of Washington at number 37 and then Javon Baker of UCF at 110 overall. 

Both receivers hit the 6 foot 1 mark coming in at 203, and 208 pounds respectively.

I will confess prior to the draft these weren’t names I was much aware of, however since the draft I have read and heard such great things they have me almost ready to switch from my tight end enthusiasm! Okay, I am joking, I can never give up my TE’s but the write up on both of the receivers, whether they were actually the Patriots first choices at the position, or not, are glowing. 

Now, that’s not to say they are perfect but with Polk coined as one of the best ‘go up and get it’ contested catch receivers in this years class with reliable hands, and Baker a competitive player at the catch point with great hip fluidity enabling him to sharply change direction, there is definitely plenty to look forward to!

Not to disregard the defence completely, Marcellas Dial was the 180th pick (round 6) a cornerback out of South Carolina. Dial visited with the Patriots before the draft and whilst he will probably be competing for a role and possibly see his start with the team on special teams, Dial has outside potential and versatility that is always of a benefit for a player low on the depth chart but with time to prove his future worth. The Patriots have some history of bringing quality out of players in the secondary and so Dial could be one of those draft, develop and retain kind of guys. 

Double dipping maybe the name of the draft for 2024 as the Patriots selected a second quarterback in cannon armed Joe Milton out of Tennessee. An undisputed physically gifted thrower, Milton rocks in with his rocket arm at 6 foot 5 and 246 pounds. Milton was a surprise selection to many, but at a low risk – high reward project, Milton could prove to bring some extra-ness at the quarterback back up position. 

Finally the tight end position. It was addressed, kinda, in round 7 at number 231. Now I use my kinda loosely there because Jaheim Bell out of Florida State is a tight end, but at 6 foot 2 inches, 241 pounds he is a little undersized, from A Clare Perspective. However! This guy was definitely value for money in the seventh round. My combine notes have him not great at blocking, but! really good performance running routes and good catching ability. 

Bell is a tweener, he has experience as an inline tight end, a wing back, a running back and a wide receiver. Whilst not maintaining blocks well he is explosive off the line. He fits what we believe is the AVP offensive scheme (we are yet to see what it actually is for this season in all fairness) and could have a clear role that currently isn’t filled anywhere on the Patriots unofficial roster. 

Definitely a developmental player with the future in mind, Bell could bring back an element to the Patriots offense we haven’t seen since the likes of James Develin and Jacob Johnson suited up in Patriot blue. Now, that’s not to say he will be a fullback, but he has immense flexibility with his skill set and maybe my sneaky cheeky player to watch for the 2024 season. 

So there you have it you lovely lot, that is the haul for 2024. UDFA’s are still being signed up so the list of new players for the Patriots is going to be extensive, but my word do I feel like a kid on Christmas morning ready to get playing with my brand new toys! I don’t know about you folks, whilst it may be a little bit of a bumpy one, I am definitely looking forward to our next Patriots ride!

Go Pats! 

*Please note, all measurables are compared across multiple sources and the most common used here.

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 27

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Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) the aftermath of the Patriots 2024 NFL draft!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 26

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Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. 

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 25

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Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) the build up to the 2024 draft. 

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 24

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Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) the Patriots needs in the build up to the 2024 draft, and just which QB it should it be at three!

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

Pats Procrastination – YouTube show Episode 23

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Join Clazzy Clare and Chudders as they percolate (and debate!) all the goings on in the NEP camp during free agency in particular with the offensive line and wide receiver groups.

Clazzy Clare and Chudders bring you a little Patriots chat, in a casual and light hearted show that (hopefully) has you feeling like you’re sitting back and having a laugh with some fellow Patriots buddies!

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Remember the Tight-Ends…

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I don’t know about you lovely lot but this years draft buildup feels a little different than usual. I guess potentially drafting at three and desperately seeking a quarterback can do that to ya. 

So, whilst there is a huge flux, a back and forth of QB at three or trade back and stack, there is a general consensus that the Patriots could do with some tight end talent to develop. 

The contract negotiations, and retaining of Hunter Henry was a welcome spot of news to open up free agency, and not just for this particular tight end fan, of that I’m sure. 

Henry provides an element of stability, as well as maturity and top 20 tight end talent (according to PFF). With an offence that is in sever flux, bringing back the most successful tight end to grace the Patriots probably since Rob Gronkowski left, Henry did seem like a no-brainer. 

Predominately an inline and in the slot guy, Hunter knows his role and has even developed his blocking skill set too. He proved to be a decent security blanket for Mac Jones, with 9 touchdowns in 2021, Hunter potentially can be “the guy” for the next passer of the Patriots. 

The signing of previously of the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders, the tight end Austin Hooper whilst not flashy, wasn’t too much of a surprise either. The Patriots are lacking in depth and bringing Hooper in is a solid move of security. 

Whilst a very similar skill set, and size to Hunter Henry, Hooper is a functioning stalemate blocker rather than a people mover and a prototypical in line option, and so even though this feels like a duplication of the Hunter Henry experience, it provides depth and stability in the case of any injury and the ability to run those 22 and 12 personnel sets that have us oh so tingly (okay that might just be me…).

Spending 72% of his snaps in Cleveland with Alex Van Pelt with his hand in the dirt, Hooper does occasionally flex into the slot and so gives AVP two solid, stable and reliable tight ends that he has familiarity with. 

So thats what the Patriots have… fancy a little look at what they could get, when it comes to tight endage?

With the sever needs the Patriots have at quarterback, wide receiver and the offensive line still, the tight end position is more than likely, if addressed, going to be in the later rounds, 4th and 5th most probably. 

To that end, the likes of Georgia superstar Brock Bowers and Ja’Tavion Sanders of Texas are too rich and we should just glance longingly and move it right along, and have a look at a small sample of more feasible tight endage for the NEP. 

Cade Stover of Ohio State may still be a little bit rich, currently a projected fourth rounder, but this versatile athlete caught my “sharp eye”. He switched between line backer and tight end as a Buckeye and he is a great blocker, something the Patriots could really do with. 

A well rounded player with natural athletic ability that showed in the combine. A great job in the sledge pushing exercise and light on his feet, Stover has been top of my tight end wish list since 2023. 

Ben Sinnott of Kansas State measured in at 6’4 with quick feet and the ability to speedily change direction. Unfortunately, whilst willing he isn’t the strongest of blockers and we know thats something needed for the Patriots. 

Theo Johnson, a mammoth of a man at 6’6 and 264lbs, runs like he is annoyed at the ground (just my unabridged opinion of his 40 run) and had a good sledge exercise performance at the combine. With his size and arm length Johnson is a versatile blocker but his lack of direction change limits his route tree. He is a man built for in line play. 

Dallin Holker of Colorado State made a little bit of a slash at the combine with his gauntlet run performance, catching a ball on the move whilst still holding a ball. 6’3 and 235 pounds, Holker has good hands and tracks the ball well. A natural mover he is a little on the smaller side and whilst a sound blocker, he isn’t imposing. 

Tip Reiman of Illinois definitely showed up in my notes many times. A late round projection, maybe in the 6th, this tight end had a really good combine performance. At 6’5 and 271 pounds he is a beefy looking guy with a strong lower half. Said to be a mauler in the run game Reiman had a stellar sledge exercise performance, keeping a flat back and great foot work with a smooth gauntlet run and nice hands. A very tight end looking tight end in my book. 

On my list since I saw him play last season, Jared Wiley is one of the tallest tight ends to measure in at 6’ 6 1/8 with long arms. A predominantly in line tight end that plays with speed, is willing to get physical with good catch talent. His foot work tends to be rather average and is projected more as a special teamer but there is definitely something to work with, especially with the added positive of his size. 

So there you have it, a smorgasbord of tight endage for you. Now, there are plenty of other potential positive prospects at the position, but we do only have so many hours in the day to peruse the subject of tight ends! Do not fear, if the Patriots take a tight end in the draft we shall be bringing you a nice selection of information on that player so just keep those eyes on Pats Propaganda!

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