For many Patriots fans, the 2024 draft has been the focus for months now. As the Patriots enter the offseason with the third overall pick, the stakes are as high as ever to hit on the selection. It’s still early and free agency is about a month away. At that time, the Patriots will look to fill some needs and ideally narrow down their priorities in the draft. For now, we approach this as how the roster currently stands. Let’s take a look at Couture’s 2024 Patriots Mock Draft 1.0.
3rd Overall: UNC QB Drake Maye
Embed from Getty ImagesLet’s keep it simple. The Patriots have dozens of paths they could go with their highest pick in decades. If they don’t love a QB, they shouldn’t take one. Ultimately, after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go 1-2 overall, the Patriots land on Drake Maye because I do think they will love what they see.
Maye comes to New England with an elite upside. The raw tools are there to be a top quarterback in the league. Physically, he reminds me of a mix of Josh Allen and Justin Herbert. He brings solid mobility, a strong arm, and an aggressive approach. He can make every throw and do it accurately.
On the flip side, he’s coming off a down season in 2023 compared to 2022. That in large part connects with him losing his top target and offensive coordinator. A change in offensive scheme hurt his consistency and he’s a bit too aggressive at times. Overall, any QB draft pick is far from a certainty. Maye brings a bit of risk but the upside makes it worth the pick.
Drake Maye you are a Patriot pic.twitter.com/vlRyBrDYZD
— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 5, 2024
TRADE! Patriots trade #34 to the Titans for #38 and #144
38th Overall: Miami S Kamren Kinchens
Embed from Getty ImagesWatch Kamren Kinchens play football and you see a straight baller. Since losing Devin McCourty, the Patriots have not filled their free safety position and Kinchens brings exactly that. He plays a great “centerfield” and has outstanding range and ball-tracking abilities working deep down the field. He plays physically and can handle most tight ends as well. Kinchens is very instinctual but often finds himself playing too aggressively. If the Patriots staff can reign his approach in a bit, Kinchens has all the tools to be an outstanding player.
It should also be noted that the Patriots recently hired Alonzo Highsmith to a prominent front office role. He previously worked as the University of Miami’s GM of Football Operations for the past two seasons. He knows Kinchens very well.
The Alonzo Highsmith addition to the front office should be making everyone watch more highlights of Kamren Kinchens
— Matt Couture (@MattCouture5) February 8, 2024
He’s a straight baller. All around safety that can play deep and downfield
pic.twitter.com/05Yy7A2s0l
68th Overall: USC WR Brenden Rice
Embed from Getty ImagesDoes the last name sound familiar? Yes, Brenden is the son of the legendary wide receiver, Jerry Rice. The USC standout enters the NFL with a lot of intriguing attributes. Brenden Rice certainly doesn’t lack in size and speed. He’s good at high-pointing the ball and his length allows him to have an outstanding catch radius. He should clock in around a 4.40 40-yard dash. Combine that with quickness at the line of scrimmage and Rice offers a complete package of upside at the next level. If he can learn to play with more physicality and use his hands better, his upside goes even higher.
Career receiving on screen passes from notable WR prospects
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) February 7, 2024
Helps visualize after the catch traits and/or make sense of one’s production
Malik Nabers/DJ Moore is interesting pic.twitter.com/YZZCxzUDbK
TRADE: Patriots send #103 and #182 to the 49ers for #95 and #253
95th Overall: Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots move up and aggressively trade to land Blake Fisher to help protect Drake Maye. The Notre Dame right tackle comes to New England as the team looks to build on his upside. He’s not very big but he moves well and has the hand strength to withstand power rushes. He’s a bit of a work in progress, but with the right development, he could turn into a starting-caliber tackle.
139th Overall: UNC LB Cedric Gray
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots take a shot on Drake Maye’s college teammate here as they look to add to their LB core. Cedric Gray brings a high motor and elite athleticism for his size. The ability to play sideline to sideline as a run defender and the athleticism to handle himself in coverage. If Gray can improve his consistency as a tackler, he has the upside to develop into a starter at the next level.
144th Overall: FSU TE Jaheim Bell
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots land one of the most athletic tight ends in the draft in Jaheim Bell. As a pass catcher, Bell has a ton to like as a prospect. He has impressive speed, flexibility and catch radius to make him a brutal player to cover. The downside for him is his size. He’s small for the position and struggles as a blocker. This is the primary reason he’d ever be available at this spot in the draft. That limitation likely doesn’t make him a full-time player. Nevertheless, if the Patriots see his upside as a passer catcher, he can make a difference in the offense.
Jaheim Bell: RAC #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/mRxdeME3eH
— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) February 1, 2024
TRADE! Patriots send #224 and #232 for #207
207th Overall: Marshall RB Rasheen Ali
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots use two seventh-round picks to move up to land a dual-threat running back. Rasheen Ali is drafted as the team looks to hit on a hidden gem in the backfield. Coming out of Marshall, Ali won’t get as much love as he should. He plays bigger than his actual size and has the speed and acceleration to beat defenders to the edge.
Rasheen Ali was impressing at the senior bowl before rupturing his bicep tendon. That injury will keep him out of the combine, pre-draft workouts, and will ultimately hurt his draft stock. Landing him in round seven would be a great dart throw for the Patriots.
253rd Overall: Florida C Kingsley Eguakun
Embed from Getty ImagesWith their final selection, the Patriots land center Kingsley Eguakun to add to the interior offensive line mix. As a run blocker, Eguakun is a mauler and excels playing forward. On the other hand, Eguakun needs to improve with his base as a pass blocker. He often finds himself playing flat-footed. Overall, he’s a smart lineman that offers the upside you look for at this point in the draft.
Overview
Reviewing this draft, most fans will probably think it’s solid. They land their potential franchise QB, and add to the WR spot, but don’t invest heavily at LT. It should be noted that we are in February. Free agency in March will almost certainly change priorities heading into the draft. Could the Patriots land a veteran tackle that makes this draft look even better? One way or another, the team will look to fill multiple holes in free agency so they can narrow their focus in the draft.
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Featured Image: Getty Images/Ryan Kang
