We’re less than a week away from the 2024 NFL Draft, and New England fans are eager to know which prospects will wear a Patriots uniform come September. After working through the prospect pool, I came up with 12 players I’ve deemed to have the highest probability of being a Patriot next week. I followed reports on meetings, checked connections to players, and evaluated projected draft spots with where the Patriots currently own picks. For this purpose, I excluded their options at the top of Round 1 and focused on Rounds 2-7. Let’s look at 12 potential picks for the Patriots in the 2024 Draft.
Washington WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan
Embed from Getty ImagesLet’s start with a simple one. The Patriots have a need at wide receiver, and with quarterback likely to be their first-round selection, they will seemingly turn to Day 2 to address this need. Both Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan will be selected in that range, and they were both coached directly by new Patriots WR coach Tyler Hughes. The Patriots are arguably the team with the most direct knowledge on both receivers heading into the draft. The Patriots also sent Hughes and the team’s top scouts to Washington’s Pro Day. There have not been reported visits or meetings between the Patriots and either of them, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t occur or aren’t being considered. I’d consider both of them as possible targets on Day 2.
#Bills held a private workout with #Washington WR Jalen McMillan per @MikeGarafolo #BillsMafia | #NFLDraft
— The Undercovers Cast (@UndercoversCast) April 17, 2024
pic.twitter.com/2tkNMhF8Vr https://t.co/WUPpHLoPjQ
BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots have a need on the offensive line, and Kingsley Suamataia can help fill it. As a projected early-Day 2 pick, Suamataia is a possibility with the Patriots’ 34th-overall selection. They’ve done “a lot of homework” on him, according to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, and he also made a top-30 visit to New England, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. Suamataia has experience on both ends of the offensive line and offers upside with the proper development. Don’t be shocked if he’s a Patriot next week.
TCU DB Mark Perry
Embed from Getty ImagesThe projected mid- to late-Day 3 selection has been reportedly connected to the Patriots more than other prospects I’ve seen. He has three reported meetings or visits with the Patriots and possesses the versatility they’ve historically valued in a player. Mark Perry has elite athleticism and ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at 213 pounds.
TCU safety Mark Perry garnered a lot of team interest at the Shrine Bowl, including from the 49ers π
— Steph Sanchez (@Steph49K) February 23, 2024
Looking forward to having him on 49K today 3pm PST pic.twitter.com/zGFoFiRQUB
Miami S Kamren Kinchens and DT Leonard Taylor III
Embed from Getty ImagesKamren Kinchens and Leonard Taylor III fall into a similar category as Polk and McMillan. Both players fulfill needs for the Patriots, and the team has direct knowledge of them. Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf hired Alonzo Highsmith to join the team’s scouting department, who spent the past two seasons as “GM of Football Operations” for the University of Miami. He’ll be able to provide in-depth information on both players. In the end, the more information you have on a player, the more confident a GM can be in selecting that player.
FSU TE Jaheim Bell
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots are looking for more weapons, and Jaheim Bell fits the bill. While he is seen as more of a one-dimensional tight end, Bell’s strength is as a pass catcher. The Patriots reportedly sent scouts and positional coaches to FSU’s Pro Day to specifically meet and work out Bell. The tight end position isn’t seen as a major need, but Bell fits as a projected Day 3 option they can take a shot on.
When it comes to breaking tackles and creating YAC, FSU's Jaheim Bell is not merely best playmaking TE in 2024 class, he's the πππ¨π© ππ£ ππ© π‘πππ¨π© π ππππππ.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) April 12, 2024
Since 2014, Bell leads all P5 TEs in ππππ career YAC per reception (9.24) and career missed tacklesβ¦ pic.twitter.com/RwOQdaB4lU
TCU TE Jared Wiley
Embed from Getty ImagesLike Bell, Jared Wiley is another mid- to later-round pick connected to the Patriots. Wiley is uber-athletic and offers versatility as a tight end. While he isn’t known for his run blocking, he makes up for it by being a premier pass-catching threat. At 6’6″ and 250 pounds, not many people can run a 4.62 40-yard dash the way he does. Wiley also recently made a top-30 visit to New England, according to Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler.
Rutgers CB Max Melton
Embed from Getty ImagesA Rutgers defensive back on the New England Patriots? That sounds like a perfect match. Beyond that historical connection, Max Melton has reportedly met with the Patriots at least twice. The team also had several scouts at Rutgers’ Pro Day. Melton brings an impressive combination of size, speed, and aggressiveness to the position. He’d fit as a potential option across from Christian Gonzalez.
Max Melton (#16), CB, Rutgers
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) April 18, 2024
– Elite,elite speed and explosiveness, dominates on a vertical path
– Slot experience/versatility
– Willing to frame blocks and fit run/tackle
– DAWG
– Has good length, won't lose on outside
– Jams at LoS have real power/knock
– Explosive downhill pic.twitter.com/hvrN3ZY2Ed
Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher
Embed from Getty ImagesBlake Fisher comes in as an obvious fit for the Patriots. He’ll be a Day 2 or 3 selection that addresses a need and has been connected to New England multiple times. Patriots offensive line coach Scott Peters attended Notre Dame’s Pro Day and worked “extensively” with Fisher on the field. Next, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport revealed that Fisher went to New England for a top-30 visit. He has primarily played right tackle in college, but it’s fair to wonder if the Patriots believe he can switch to the left side.
South Carolina WR Xavier Legette
Embed from Getty ImagesXavier Legette is one of the biggest wild cards in the draft. He offers elite size and athleticism, but NFL teams might view him as an extremely raw prospect. As a Day 2 pick, he fits into the range where the Patriots will likely be looking to land an offensive weapon. Legette reportedly met with the Patriots at the Senior Bowl, and WR coach Tyler Hughes also attended his Pro Day. While Legette is a risky pick, if Wolf believes in the talent, he could be worth the selection.
Reminder: Xavier Legette is a freak
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 12, 2024
pic.twitter.com/VfN6ELtriT
Oklahoma OT Tyler Guyton
Embed from Getty ImagesTyler Guyton is another obvious potential target for the Patriots. While he played right tackle in college, Guyton has spoken with teams about switching to the left side and has the athleticism to do so. Guyton reportedly made a top-30 visit to New England, with ESPN’s Mike Reiss stating it’s “reflective of legitimate interest.” At 6’8″ and 322 pounds, Guyton didn’t allow a sack on 335 pass-blocking snaps in 2023. Guyton is expected to be a late-Round 1 or early-Round 2 choice.
Time Will Tell
Odds are that one of these twelve players will end up in a Patriots uniform. Thirty-one other NFL teams will also have an equal chance to take any of them, but nevertheless, these players have either been connected to the Patriots, fill needs for the team, or offer intriguing upside that could be of interest. Within the next week, we’ll know exactly where they all end up.
Featured Image: Getty Images/Icon Sportswire
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