MORSE: Patriots Draft Needs and Draft Related Info
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Posted Under: 2024 Patriots Draft
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Patriots Draft Needs
It has been well documented that the Patriots need a QB, a game changing Wide Receiver or two, and a starting Left Tackle. But a 4-13 team needs more than just those three positions. Let’s take a dive into those other needs as well as the prioritization of the top three needs.
QB – Mac Jones was destroyed by the Patriots team management and coaching staff. He wasn’t a great passer, but he was a good, serviceable game manager. This was evident by his rookie season that was actually better than Tom Brady’s 1st season at the helm.
The Patriots have Jacoby Brissett, another journeyman game manager. Brissett will never be great, but he can be a stop gap measure, and maybe longer than a year.
Don’t be surprised if the Patriots Trade back, meaning that they are not sold on the remaining two QBs. The consensus is that Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go one, two. That leaves Drake Maye and JJ McCarthy. I’m not sold on either. QB is my #2 priority.
This tidbit I got from Scott Pioli. He thinks the Patriots might draft two QB’s.
OL – The biggest problem on the Patriots is the Offensive Line. This is my top priority. They need a young, plug and play Left Tackle which they can build their line around for the next 10 years. Pair the LT with RT Michael Onwenu and you have a good start. The Patriots had 9 different starting line combinations during the season. The Bills consequently had the same starting 5 on the line for the entire season. Get back to establishing the run and make it easier on the QB with play-action passes.
I am not sold on Cole Strange, but he was ranked 26th and Sidy Sow 27th amongst all Guards by Pro Football Focus. That means they are both a little better than middle of the road Guards at this point (there are 64 starting Guards in the league). Strange hasn’t lived up to being drafted in the 1st round and was hurt all of pre-season and didn’t finish the year.
Sow actually didn’t have a bad rookie year despite the number of times you saw him get beat. He was the highest-ranked rookie Guard in the league. There is room for improvement in his second year.
Backups at both Guard and Tackle positions are needed. David Andrews is back for what should be his final season. He had some injuries last season and that may be associated with age. It’s time to draft his replacement and a Guard that can play Center too would be a good choice.
WR – The Patriots WR Corp is one of the slowest and lack agility. What was a staple of the Patriots scouts when drafting WRs was good 3-cone drill times. This drill shows quick agility and change of direction. Anything under 7.00 is very good. KJ Osborn is the only receiver with a 7.00 3-cone. Promising rookie DeMario Douglas ran a 7.04. The Patriots need a big play receiver or two that can play on the outside. I like the Osborn signing and hope that Bourne can come back to form. WR is my #3 priority.
RB – Ezekiel Elliott played well for the Patriots as Rhamondre Stevensons’ backup. The Patriots signed Antonio Gibson as a third-down receiving back, but he is not so much a runner. The Patriots need another running back or two.
TE – Both the Patriots TEs will turn 30 during the season. Neither are blockers. The Alex Van Pelt offense often requires 2 or 3 TEs. Drafting a couple of TE’s is a distinct possibility.
Defense
I wouldn’t spend any draft capital on Defense. The Patriots need to repair the Offense which has been neglected for far too many years. If I was to draft players on Defense it would be a Safety/Cornerback or Linebacker that can play special teams.
Special Teams
The Patriots need a kicker, but I wouldn’t use any draft capital on a kicker. There is a kicker in the UFL making some noise. He is 5 of 5 on FG attempts, 4 of 5 are over 50 yards, with two over 60 yards. His name is Jake Bates and I would sign him now and not use a draft pick on a kicker.
Other Draft Tidbits
I’m excited for what the new Patriots brain trust will do in this draft. Eliot Wolf’s fingerprints are all over the hires since Bill Belichick’s departure. Belichick always surprised us with his picks because he was so unpredictable. I wonder how closely Wolf will stick to the “Packer Way” his father professed. That would be drafting the best player available despite positional need, developing that talent, and resigning them. The Patriots have so many glaring needs that a trade-down scenario would fit the Packer Way. If the Patriots receive an offer from Minnesota of picks 11 and 23 in the 1st round and a 2025 1st round pick for the #3 pick. I think that would be very hard to pass up.
Every NFL team is allowed to bring 30 prospective draft-eligible players into their building for further medical evaluation, further evaluation of critical thinking and football knowledge, and just overall football evaluation. In the Patriots’ “30” visits, one of the last ones to come in was Michael Penix QB Washington. This may be because the team wanted a better medical checkup on Penix, who has had two ACL surgeries, or they have serious interest in him should they trade down. I do believe that Penix is off many NFL teams’ draft boards because of his knee issues.
A player to keep an eye on for the Patriots on Day Three is Pitt WR Bub Means. Patriots Assistant WR coach Tiquan Underwood was the WR coach at Pitt. Means is a big receiver at 6’1” 227 lbs. and still ran a 4.43 40-yard dash at the combine. At his Pro Day weigh-in, Means weighed in at 227 lbs., 15 lbs. heavier than the 212 he weighed at the Combine. The Combine was in late March and his Pro Day was a month later on April 27th.
An interesting discussion was held on talk radio. On the Felger and Mazz show, the theory being floated was that the Patriots’ front office was badly split about the potential 3rd QB in the draft and whether they should draft either Drake Maye or JJ McCarthy. In the spirit of collaboration, everyone had their say, and three distinct camps developed. Ownership wanted Jayden Daniels because of the Wow Factor drafting a Heisman trophy winner.
The Commanders are expected to select Daniels. Those in favor of JJ McCarthy were speculated to be Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf. The Offensive Coordinator, Alex Van Pelt, and Offensive Assistant, Ben McAdoo, apparently want Drake Maye. This new spirit of collaboration may just result in chaos. If Eliot Wolf receives an offer for the 3rd pick, they just might take it because there is no consensus amongst the Patriots coaches, scouts, and Front Office.
Next week I will have my final Patriots 7 round mock on Tuesday and a full 1st round draft on Wednesday.
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For QB, really, really hoping it’s not Daniels. Agree on OL and WR. Problem is you can’t get a plug and play LT at 34. K. Suamataia is probably the best prospect they might be able to get but he’ll need time. There’s also a good chance he’s gone by the time they pick.(If he is, trade back some to gain more draft capital. Draft an X and Z WR and two OTs with positional flexibility.) GIven the top 30 visits, I’m afraid they won’t heed the advice of drafting only offense. Good chance we see some combination of CB,… Read more »