The long wait is about to be over. Months of reports and speculation of what the Patriots will do in the draft will soon be known. De-facto GM Eliot Wolf takes over the reins for a team in desperate need of an infusion of talent. Ultimately, it’s impossible to expect to be perfect with draft predictions. The best bet is to follow reports of visits, interests, and connections with players, then combine that with realistic targets, draft projections, and team needs. Put it all together and I’ve come up with a mock draft that I deem realistic and possible to happen. Let’s take a look at Couture’s 2024 Patriots Mock Draft 4.0.
3rd Overall Pick: UNC QB Drake Maye
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is mock draft #4 and this hasn’t changed. After Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels go 1-2, the Patriots stay and select Drake Maye. As my QB2, it’s a home run pick. While Maye isn’t the perfect prospect, he has all the intangibles you look for in a franchise QB. He has the size, arm strength, and athleticism that teams covet these days. He continuously showed the ability to make any throw on the field and move comfortably outside the pocket while keeping his head up for an open receiver. There are questions about whether he’s a day-one starter but it doesn’t matter here. This isn’t about 2024, it is about the next decade. Take the player, and work on improving his footwork and if that means him not playing in September 2024, so be it.
i think this guy can play pic.twitter.com/61ol7lSmrW
— Cam (@DrakeMayeFC) April 21, 2024
TRADE! The Patriots send #34 and #180 to the Jaguars for #48, #96, and #153
48th Overall Pick: Washington WR Jalen McMillan
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots sat at #34 and ultimately didn’t love how the board fell. The top of the 2nd round is often a highly coveted spot and Wolf hasn’t shied away from saying the more picks, the better. By sliding down to #48, the Patriots add another late 3rd and move up on day three.
With this selection, the Patriots land a known product. Jalen McMillan has everything you look for in a day two wide receiver. New Patriots WR coach Tyler Hughes just spent the past season in Washington as their WR coach. He knows McMillan more than basically anyone else. The 6’1, 197lb wideout brings solid size and speed combined with impressive route running and decisiveness within them. He’s not the “X” receiver that many fans are hoping for but he’s also more than the “slot” receiver that some people label him to be. He proved to be capable of being a deep threat at Washington. In the end, the easiest path to success in the NFL comes with getting open and good hands. McMillan did that at a high level at Washington.
Jalen McMillan is a my guy in the class
— Brad (@Graham_SFN) April 17, 2024
Super slept on and would be a phenomenal snag in the mid-rounds pic.twitter.com/4z6nvGI6gH
68th Overall Pick: Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots land a highly scouted prospect to hopefully take over a starting tackle job. Patriots OL coach Scott Peters spent time on the field with Blake Fisher at his pro day and that resulted in Fisher also coming in for a top-30 visit to New England.
Fisher initially beat potential top-10 pick Joe Alt out as the team’s LT when they were freshmen. Unfortunately, Fisher quickly got injured and by the time he returned, Alt cemented himself as the LT. That pushed Fisher to the right side and he was great for Notre Dame. He’s a well-balanced tackle who can win with power during both pass and run-blocking snaps. He offers quality athleticism and toughness that is needed in the NFL. Still only 21 years old, Fisher has room to grow and if he can improve with his hands, the upside is there to be a starter. Onwenu seems locked into the team’s right tackle position, so the noted interest from New England makes me believe Eliot Wolf thinks he can move back to the left side.
96th Overall Pick: Miami S Kamren Kinchens
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter filling the team’s three biggest needs, the Patriots turn to the defensive side of the ball and land the definition of a film, not combine, talent. Once seen as a second-round pick, Kamren Kinchens‘ stock fell after an underwhelming combine. What is unfortunate for Kinchens, is a benefit to New England. Alonzo Highsmith now works with the Patriots and spent the last two seasons as the GM of Football Operations for the University of Miami. While he might not impress on paper, Kinchens’ film tells another story. As a free safety, Kinchens displayed impressive ball tracking and closing speed on deep balls. He keeps his head up and reads the QB to try and jump passes. If you follow what he showed in the film, you’ll think the Patriots landed a potential steal at the end of the third round.
Trade! The Patriots send #103 and #231 to the Raiders for #112, #208 and a 2025 6th round pick
112th Overall Pick: Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots running back room has a solid top two for the 2024 season. Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson should lead the group. Beyond next season though, there’s no clear lead back under contract. Braelon Allen fits the mold as a young back (just turned 20 years old in January) who can develop behind Stevenson and provide quality depth in 2024. At 6’1, 235 pounds, Allen has the size that both Eliot Wolf and Alex Van Pelt have a history of liking. He runs fearless and has no issue with contact. There’s room for improvement as a pass catcher but like I mentioned, he’s still extremely young. There’s plenty of room for growth as a player.
Braelon Allen || Wisconsin Badgers Running Back || 2023 Junior Highlights – Big Strong Back you can feed at the goal line #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/5qpoqC5IYX
— RAVENS WEST⚡️ (@BDubCali) February 19, 2024
137th Pick: FSU TE Jaheim Bell
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots continue to add weapons for newly drafted Drake Maye. Jaheim Bell comes to New England as a legitimate pass-catching threat. As an extremely undersized tight end, Bell isn’t a great blocker but that’s not why he’s coveted by the Patriots. The better way to think of him is as an oversized wide receiver. At 6’2 and 241 pounds, Bell is an elite athlete for his size. He’s a pass catcher who can be a threat in every way. Line him up against a corner and he’ll overpower them. Put a linebacker on him and he’ll outrun them. He’s a unique weapon that Alex Van Pelt would love to utilize.
Rd 5 Pk 157 – Jaheim Bell TE – FSU
— Wes Minke (@MinkeBPM) February 22, 2024
– 6’3 244…**RED ZONE THREAT**
– A freak athlete in the open field, adds another explosive element to the offense
– Below average blocker, will need to work on that to compete for PT
(Video courtesy of Hyper Highlights on YT) pic.twitter.com/0gVl45xVhX
153rd Overall Pick: UCLA DE Grayson Murphy
Embed from Getty ImagesHidden behind Laiatu Latu and his brother Gabriel, Grayson Murphy is a potential unknown gem. The Patriots were at the UCLA pro day and saw Murphy firsthand put on a show. While he’s not a physically intimidating edge rusher, Murphy offers good strength and quickness with a good approach as a pass rusher. Murphy can sit and develop as a potential long-term pass rusher for the Patriots.
193rd Pick: Pittsburgh WR Bub Means
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Patriots take a late-round shot to find a gem in Bub Means. Standing at 6’2, 215 pounds, Means has the size, speed, and overall athleticism that provides an intriguing upside. Patriots assistant WR coach Tiquan Underwood coached Means at Pittsburgh last season and knows him well. If he can improve on his route tree and become more versatile, he could develop into a weapon in the NFL. For what he is right now, he’s a potential deep ball receiver for a team that likes to take shots downfield.
214th Overall Pick: Georgia State OT Travis Glover
Embed from Getty ImagesThis is a follow-the-bread-crumbs pick. The Patriots had Travis Glover in for a top-30 visit and have reportedly shown real interest in the player. The five-year starter comes with extensive experience on both ends of the line and even a bit at guard. Standing at 6’6, 238 pounds, Glover plays with toughness and power, making him an intimidating force. He’s certainly a developmental tackle but that’s a given at this point in the draft.
237th Overall Pick: Pittsburg State CB Rico Payton
The Patriots select a lottery ticket on an under-the-radar talent here. Insert D2 cornerback Rico Payton. While Payton features average size and speed on paper, he shows a knack for the ball and an aggressiveness to his game. In 2023, Payton had sixteen pass breakups and four interceptions. He also made a top-30 visit to New England.
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