Poll: Grade our draft:

[DW Toys]

Normally I would agree that the grades are too soon, but since so many here have already fired Wolf I think it’s ok to say he’s doing a good job.

Cousins, IMHO I am in the category of....see ya Wolf. Posters do not realize it has been his Drafts and FA acquisitions for some years now. He rots.

The mantra this year in the Draft was stick and pick. Why did he not after round one? His claim to infamy this year was taking Polk over McConkey when your rookie QB needs someone with speed who can get open. Another great poster said we got a smaller Parker in Round two. I hope he and I are wrong.

He never traded for picks in this Draft. He just jockeyed around for positions. Basically his ineptitude in Free Agency made our Draft picks a live or die proposition and they have to win right now. Very dumb. We had the resources. He was afraid to step up other than Ridley and he cheaped out.

Color me disappointed.

Remember upon the League average only 15%-19% of every Draft class makes it to their second contract. So which two (say three) do you think will stick from this years?

DW Toys

 

[Thelonious]

I say B+ because they stuck to their word to weaponize the offense and almost went entirely with offensive picks. They didn't land a prototypical left tackle, not sure if they got their #1 wide receiver, didn't add to running back depth and didn't provide competition at kicker. Other than that anything they missed on defense they can add in free agency with lots of cap space left.

LOL. When I read your evaluation, with which I largely agree, I find your B+ a little baffling. I went with a C-.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Cousins, IMHO I am in the category of....see ya Wolf. Posters do not realize it has been his Drafts and FA acquisitions for some years now. He rots.
The mantra this year in the Draft was stick and pick. Why did he not after round one? His claim to infamy this year was taking Polk over McConkey when your rookie QB needs someone with speed who can get open. Another great poster said we got a smaller Parker in Round two. I hope he and I are wrong.
He never traded for picks in this Draft. He just jockeyed around for positions. Basically his ineptitude in Free Agency made our Draft picks a live or die proposition and they have to win right now. Very dumb. We had the resources. He was afraid to step up other than Ridley and he cheaped out.
Color me disappointed.
Remember upon the League average only 15%-19% of every Draft class makes it to their second contract. So which two (say three) do you think will stick from this years?
DW Toys

This is the first draft and free agency Wolf has run DW, so the truth is that you are just wrong.

 

[Gumby]

I gave them a B+

I like almost all the picks Even w/o BB around we seem to have kept the „team-first“ & „football-player all the time“ criterion. Getting team captain s and dedicated guys.

I found fault w Wolfe or whoever during course of draft w not sensing the ebb-flow.
But just saw this article
Patriots tried to trade back into first round to draft a WR (report)

That would seem to counter some of my concern.

I kinda think you have to weight the grade based on draft position. So just cause you got Maye w 3d pick; that can’t give you an A. What value did you get with 34, 68, 98. ( the other 3d picks). While we filled needs; not sure we got avg & definitely not above avg value. So for me an A is impossible.

Some of that is the constraints of a bad o roster. So it was a needs-focused draft. After next year‘s draft, I think we will have a better idea of Wolf‘s board navigational skills.

 

[DH523]

I voted D or worse so I'll defend it I guess. Maye was a necessity pick at #3 overall so I'm not really counting him. Caeden Wallace was also a necessary pick but I don't really understand the Layden Robinson pick when they have Strange, Sow, and Mafi (and presumably 1-2 of our RT could also swing inside at OG in an injury pinch). They could've taken a CB or a RB then or added some depth with a DT/LB instead.

I did like the CB selection (dude sounds feisty and constantly fights the ball out, our kind of Patriot CB) and TE Jaheim Bell sounds like a fine 3rd TE blocker type with some range as a receiver.

I preferred other WRs to Ja'Lynn Polk and Baker though. I like Polk fine but I thought Adonai Mitchell was a far better playmaker and I also would've preferred Malachi Corley as a poor man's Deebo Samuel. I don't see Polk as a WR1. He feels like another WR2/3 just with size in a room full of them. I'm simply not a fan of Baker and I don't like that he doesn't have much in the way of stop/start quicks. He just screams DeVante Parker/N'Keal Harry where they can adjust to the ball and (in theory) make contested catches but largely struggle with generating separation 1-1 unless they are schemed open into space on crossers, etc. which is where a guy like Demario Douglas makes his living.

I'd rather have taken Devontez Walker, Jacob Cowing, or Ainias Smith over Baker. Brenden Rice too.

Hate the Joe Milton pick. Not a fan of big armed QBs with size who struggle with accuracy and fall in the NFL Draft as a result. There's a reason those types can be had later (see Tyree Jackson, Ryan Finley, Mason Rudolph as a few examples). You can't teach accuracy and guys like Josh Allen, Ben Roethlisberger, etc. are the rare examples who succeed often because they get paired up with elite WRs who can help them out.

 

[gobesmug]

This is an A+ draft.

They got their guy at QB in Maye. They brought in Brissett to help mentor and bridge the gap so Maye can sit this season if he isn't ready.

This was a very talented draft for Wr and Oline according to all reports and made evident by the fact that it wasn't until pick 15 that a defensive player was taken and only 9 defensive players were taken in the 1st rd.

This Pats doubled dipped at the positions of strength in this draft. The players they took at those positions might not have been the guys we the fans wanted, but you have to trust that the NE scouting dept did their job and we need to see how they turn out on the field before placing judgment.

This isn't like prior drafts where 7th rd graded safeties were taken in the second rd. The pats clearly had Wallace rated highly and didn't risk missing out with a trade down, and if the Pats had him rated as their best OT prospect while sitting at #37 then they made a great decision waiting until #68 by recognizing his value around the league. We don't have the privilege of seeing their big board so we will never know if they had a guy like Paul rated higher than Wallace.

The most important thing for a young QB is giving them a good oline to play behind. The pats have Andrew's at C, they resigned Onwenu who can play at an all pro level at RG or be a solid starter at RT, they have Sow who can play either G spot and signed Okorafor who could start at RT or be a backup Swing for depth.

If Wallace can play LT out the gate then you can have the oline as: Wallace, Sow, Andrew's, Onwenu, Okorafor if Strange isn't ready to start the season. If Wallce and Robinson are ready to start then you could have Wallace, Robinson, Andrew's, Sow, Onwenu. Alternatively if Wallace can't play Lt you have Okorafor, Sow, Andrew, Onwenu, and Wallace with the rt side of the line as a position of strength and play Brissett all the season, then use next year's first for the top rated LT.

As for Defense, there are still some really good vets available and the Pats happen to still have plenty of cap space. Sign Gilmore and Justin Simmons and the secondary becomes elite with With Gonzalez returning.

 

[raduray]

Maye at #3 was the key. The only second guess I have is, given the run on OT's, should we have reversed the order of WR, OT. Time will tell.

 

[BTTA]

We'll know in 2026. All these picks, except perhaps the WR's, are for the 2025 depth chart. They drafted players that they think can develop into good NFL players, rather than players that might be right away.

 

[BTTA]

Maye at #3 was the key. The only second guess I have is, given the run on OT's, should we have reversed the order of WR, OT. Time will tell.

The run was over by the time the run was discovered.

 

[Thelonious]

This is an A+ draft.

They got their guy at QB in Maye. They brought in Brissett to help mentor and bridge the gap so Maye can sit this season if he isn't ready.

This was a very talented draft for Wr and Oline according to all reports and made evident by the fact that it wasn't until pick 15 that a defensive player was taken and only 9 defensive players were taken in the 1st rd.

This Pats doubled dipped at the positions of strength in this draft. The players they took at those positions might not have been the guys we the fans wanted, but you have to trust that the NE scouting dept did their job and we need to see how they turn out on the field before placing judgment.

This isn't like prior drafts where 7th rd graded safeties were taken in the second rd. The pats clearly had Wallace rated highly and didn't risk missing out with a trade down, and if the Pats had him rated as their best OT prospect while sitting at #37 then they made a great decision waiting until #68 by recognizing his value around the league. We don't have the privilege of seeing their big board so we will never know if they had a guy like Paul rated higher than Wallace.

The most important thing for a young QB is giving them a good oline to play behind. The pats have Andrew's at C, they resigned Onwenu who can play at an all pro level at RG or be a solid starter at RT, they have Sow who can play either G spot and signed Okorafor who could start at RT or be a backup Swing for depth.

If Wallace can play LT out the gate then you can have the oline as: Wallace, Sow, Andrew's, Onwenu, Okorafor if Strange isn't ready to start the season. If Wallce and Robinson are ready to start then you could have Wallace, Robinson, Andrew's, Sow, Onwenu. Alternatively if Wallace can't play Lt you have Okorafor, Sow, Andrew, Onwenu, and Wallace with the rt side of the line as a position of strength and play Brissett all the season, then use next year's first for the top rated LT.

As for Defense, there are still some really good vets available and the Pats happen to still have plenty of cap space. Sign Gilmore and Justin Simmons and the secondary becomes elite with With Gonzalez returning.

 

[Brotherblues]

Maye makes or breaks the draft grade.

What happened in rounds 2-4 make or break Wolf's grade.

He really needs one or two of those guys to hit. He'll be swimming in shark infested waters if either of Polk or Wallace flops spectacularly.

 

[Gator Mike]

I understand why it's done, but man do I ever HATE the idea of placing a draft grade to a player or a pick moments after it happens.

 

[raduray]

The run was over by the time the run was discovered.

That's a fair point. But it's a scouting miss to not have anticipated it. I mean, we do scout opposing teams and anticipate their needs, right?

 

[reflexblue]

Maye at #3 was the key. The only second guess I have is, given the run on OT's, should we have reversed the order of WR, OT. Time will tell.

I don't think they anticipate the run on OTs and were caught flat footed.

 

[gobesmug]

I understand why it's done, but man do I ever HATE the idea of placing a draft grade to a player or a pick moments after it happens.

It's fun to discuss different options. As arm chair GMs we all would have made different selections. Personally after trading down from 34 to 37 I would have selected Braden Fiske at DT. Dude is an athletic freak and would have been a great pairing with Barmore to terrorize the interior offensive line.

But Fiske could easily be a bust and Polk could be a great Wr.

4 years post draft is the best time to evaluate which teams did the best.

Based on the teams needs and the available vets remaining as FA I think the Pats made the smartest decision to shore up the offense. But they certainly didn't draft based on the BPA approach otherwise we would have drafted Joe Alt at #3.

 

[Wozzy]

They needed a QB, a starting left tackle and an X receiver that can take the top off opposing defenses...

They came away with the QB and nothing else.

 

[scott99]

I voted D or worse so I'll defend it I guess. Maye was a necessity pick at #3 overall so I'm not really counting him. Caeden Wallace was also a necessary pick but I don't really understand the Layden Robinson pick when they have Strange, Sow, and Mafi (and presumably 1-2 of our RT could also swing inside at OG in an injury pinch). They could've taken a CB or a RB then or added some depth with a DT/LB instead.

I did like the CB selection (dude sounds feisty and constantly fights the ball out, our kind of Patriot CB) and TE Jaheim Bell sounds like a fine 3rd TE blocker type with some range as a receiver.

I preferred other WRs to Ja'Lynn Polk and Baker though. I like Polk fine but I thought Adonai Mitchell was a far better playmaker and I also would've preferred Malachi Corley as a poor man's Deebo Samuel. I don't see Polk as a WR1. He feels like another WR2/3 just with size in a room full of them. I'm simply not a fan of Baker and I don't like that he doesn't have much in the way of stop/start quicks. He just screams DeVante Parker/N'Keal Harry where they can adjust to the ball and (in theory) make contested catches but largely struggle with generating separation 1-1 unless they are schemed open into space on crossers, etc. which is where a guy like Demario Douglas makes his living.

I'd rather have taken Devontez Walker, Jacob Cowing, or Ainias Smith over Baker. Brenden Rice too.

Hate the Joe Milton pick. Not a fan of big armed QBs with size who struggle with accuracy and fall in the NFL Draft as a result. There's a reason those types can be had later (see Tyree Jackson, Ryan Finley, Mason Rudolph as a few examples). You can't teach accuracy and guys like Josh Allen, Ben Roethlisberger, etc. are the rare examples who succeed often because they get paired up with elite WRs who can help them out.

QB A had a 64.7 completion percentage in 2023
QB B had a 63.3 completion percentage in 2023

Joe Milton is QB A, Drake Maye is QB2. A lot of people act like Joe Milton is ****. That he’s inaccurate, that he’s just bad, when he threw for 30 tds and only 5 INTs the last 2 years and had a 64+ completion percentage over the last 2 years.

The reason he went late is because the teams that needed a QB, already have them or drafted them earlier. Two of my draft guides had Milton as the 7th best QB and 4th round predictions. One other one had him as the 10th best and a 5th-6th round pick. He was the 9th QB selected, 6 went in round 1, then Spencer Rattler was the next QB selected in round 5, Jordan Travis in round 5, then Milton in round 6 and Devin Leary was the last QB selected, also in round 6.

He’s a really talented prospect. Massive size, bazooka arm, ran a 4.56 so he can run too (6 rushing tds last year). I thought it was an excellent pick. And much more accurate and successful than people say.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

I went A- they filled the needs, reached on a few. Of course this grade means nothing, we’ll see how it looks at the end of next swason

 

[Patriot Missile]

Loved the QB, the Wr’s and the tight end.

It's fun to discuss different options. As arm chair GMs we all would have made different selections. Personally after trading down from 34 to 37 I would have selected Braden Fiske at DT. Dude is an athletic freak and would have been a great pairing with Barmore to terrorize the interior offensive line.

But Fiske could easily be a bust and Polk could be a great Wr.

4 years post draft is the best time to evaluate which teams did the best.

Based on the teams needs and the available vets remaining as FA I think the Pats made the smartest decision to shore up the offense. But they certainly didn't draft based on the BPA approach otherwise we would have drafted Joe Alt at #3.

I loved Fiske as well but at 39 Wolf would of been crucified. It’s imperative they sign Barmore to an extension now which they’ve already started in talks.

The thing I don’t get is people criticizing the LT. Honestly, there wasn’t a lineman left on the board at 34 or 37 that the vast majority of fans knew before the combine and pro days. Patrick Paul from Houston? Really? A project? The Yale guy? Big, fast? Yes? Can they anchor and do all the other things? I

I’ll take the guy from the big program every day if it meant keeping the 2nd round pick. He had real film vs really good players and schools. Reading the board? What was left after Fautanu, Morgan, Mims and Guyton? They can’t force someone to trade their pick away when they value that player just as much as we do. I suspect they tried to trade up earlier for Brian Thomas but couldn’t get it done. Have no idea if they liked Guyton or not or tried to move up for him after they couldn’t get the wr they were targeting.

Got to admit at first glance Polk was a surprise but after fishing around he seems like a great pick. Tyler Hughes probably had the best insight of anyone about him and his fit on this team as well as his impact on how he was used with Penix, Odunze and Mac. Give me the Beantown Bullies and see how it plays out. Polk and Baker will be the talk of the town for better or worse. In it to win it.

 

[NCPATSFAN1971]

I gave a B+ for this draft. Why? Because I've always had a glass half full kind of attitude toward this team since 1971. I've seen the great times and the awful times with this team. I am a well seasoned, "experienced" fan, but that's all I am. The only thing I know for sure about NFL Draft's are that they are more or less "Scientific Guess Work".

We only have to look back at some of our own players to prove the above. Tom Brady was taken in the 6th round long after Chad Pennington, Giovanni Carmazzi, Chris Redman, Tee Martin, Marc Bulger, and Spergon Wynn.

Or how about Julian Edelman taken in the 7th round. Etc,., Etc,., Etc,., Etc,.,

Or more recently, First Round Picks: Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones and let's not forget the last player taken in the 2022 draft - Brock Purdy who is the current starting QB for the 49ers.

I get a kick out of fans who say with such certainty which player is going to make it and which player is just a JAG. And I ask how the F to they know? And the answer is that they don't "know". They have a right to their opinions as we all do as long as it's understood that opinions are not facts. . .