This April, the New England Patriots will head into one of the most important NFL Drafts in the franchise's history and the team's first draft of the post-Belichick era.
After finishing last season 4-13, the Patriots will select towards the top of each round including with the third overall selection in the first round. This high-end draft pick is projected to leave New England with one of Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, or Marvin Harrison Jr. Additionally, the possibility of a trade-down remains for the Patriots to gain a haul of extra draft picks while having to choose a player from the next echelon of prospects, such as Joe Alt, Olu Fashanu, Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, or Brock Bowers.
Barring any pre-draft trades, the Patriots are expected to head into the draft with seven picks, with the team not being projected to receive any compensatory picks. While the Patriots biggest needs may shift through free agency additions and losses, here's my Patriots Mock Draft 1.0:
Round 1, Pick 3. Jayden Daniels, QB LSU.
In round 1, the Patriots snag the 2023 Heisman winner and their quarterback of the future, Jayden Daniels.
Daniels is widely believed to be the third best quarterback in this year's draft class, with some outlets even projecting him as the second or first quarterback taken. However, this early into the process, it seems like Chicago and Washington will select Caleb Williams and Drake Maye with the first two picks of the draft.
That leaves Daniels, LSU's 23-year old superstar QB, as the best player left on the board at the most important position in football. While New England could opt to go with Marvin Harrison Jr, the team's current lack of a starting-caliber QB has the football world expecting a new rookie quarterback to play for the Patriots next year.
Image via Matthew Dobbins-USA Today Sports.
Statistically, Daniels appears to be a generational talent. His nearly 5,000 total yards this year (3,812 passing, 1,134 rushing) paired with 50 touchdowns (40 passing, 10 rushing) are incredibly impressive, especially when considering he only threw four interceptions this past year. However, some may consider his age and experience as a potential concern: as a fifth-year starter, has Daniels already reached his peak? How much better can he get?
Either way, the Patriots need a quarterback, and I am projecting them to select the best one available.
TRADE: Patriots receive picks 39, 108. Giants receive pick 34.
Round 2, Pick 39. Kingsley Suamataia, OT BYU.
Once again, the Patriots go with the best player available at one of their biggest positions of need.
With the expected departure of Trent Brown, New England will have to look for a reliable left tackle to keep Jayden Daniels well-protected. If available, Kingsley Suamataia could be their guy.
At just 21 years old, Suamataia is one of the best offensive tackles in a very talented pool of players in this year's draft at that position. Suamataia had an impressive Senior Bowl week, practicing in front of Patriots personnel members including Matt Groh.
An underwhelming group of tackles in free agency will likely cause New England to look towards the draft for a long-term solution at one of the most important positions in football. If Suamataia is the best OT available, it would be difficult for the Patriots to pass on him.
Round 3, Pick 68. Ricky Pearsall, WR UF.
While watching Pearsall in person at the Senior Bowl, it became immediately obvious that this guy is pretty good at football.
Personally, I am under the assumption that the Patriots will pursue a true WR1 through free agency or trade. Due to this, I have them projected to wait until the third round to address the wide receiver position in the draft.
Image via Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun.
In comes Ricky Pearsall, who left the Senior Bowl early (after just two practices) due to him already having proved what he had to prove. The University of Florida product toasted DBs throughout the first pair of practices, quickly adjusting to catching passes from quarterbacks whom he has never worked with before.
The 23-year old receiver caught 65 passes this season, tallying up over 1,000 total yards - 965 receiving, 62 rushing. In Mobile, Pearsall boosted his stock tremendously. At the top of the third round, the Florida receiver could prove to be a diamond in the rough for New England.
Round 4, Pick 104. Ray Davis, RB UK.
The Patriots currently have zero running backs under contract beyond this upcoming season.
Ezekiel Elliott is currently set to hit free agency next month, while Rhamondre Stevenson, Kevin Harris, Ke'Shawn Vaughn, and JaMycal Hasty all only have a year left on their current deals. With the possible departure of Elliott, injury concerns with Stevenson, and no true depth beyond that, the Patriots need to look for another RB to have under contract for multiple years.
This leads the Patriots to Ray Davis, a 5th-year senior from the University of Kentucky. Davis, 24, gained nearly 1,500 scrimmage yards this season while also racking up 21 total touchdowns (!!!). Additionally, Davis averaged 5.7 yards per carry and 9.8 yards per reception.
The versatility and production of Davis makes him a perfect fit in New England, helping the team fill their depth issues at the running back position.
Round 4, Pick 108 (Pick via previous trade with NYG). Jaheim Bell, TE FSU.
Five picks, five players on offense. With current offensive issues, along with a stronger defensive free-agency class than that on the offensive side of the ball, I would expect the Patriots to build their offense mostly through the draft.
The selection of Bell rounds out the Patriots selections at offensive positions of need. At the moment, New England has one tight end signed to their roster - La'Michael Pettway. Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, and Pharaoh Brown are all free agents.
In an underwhelming TE draft class outside of Brock Bowers - a projected top-7 pick - Bell is one of the best tight ends in the draft class as a projected late day-2 or early day-3 selection.
Bell, 22-years old, is an impressive and versatile receiver who has had his struggles in blocking. If Henry, Brown, and/or Gesicki are brought back, Bell is a potential selection as a depth/developmental piece.
TRADE: Patriots receive picks 132, 249. 49ers receive picks 136, 229.
Round 4, Pick 132. Sione Vaki, WEAPON Utah.
No, Sione Vaki is not a safety. He is not a linebacker. He is not a running back. He is a WEAPON.
In my opinion, Vaki is pretty easily the most intriguing prospect in the 2024 draft class. While listed as a safety, Vaki can slide down and play linebacker. Don't need a linebacker? Good thing Vaki can play as a slot DB too. Oh yeah, he can also put his hand in the dirt and play on the D-Line or go and play outside CB as well.
Image via Trent Nelson / The Salt Lake Tribune.
Via PFF, Vaki played 677 defensive snaps this past year. Most of these came at deep-safety (318 snaps), but he also played significant time in the box (175 snaps) and in the slot (131 snaps). He also played occasionally on the D-Line (37 snaps) and at cornerback (16 snaps). Did I mention he can play on offense too? Vaki gained over 500-yards from scrimmage this past season, while scoring five touchdowns on offense.
Vaki showcased his versatility in Mobile at the Senior Bowl, playing in front of NFL Scouts, proving his top-tier talent. Vaki's skills and versatility should make him a high-priority draft pick for the Patriots.
Round 6, Pick 182. Elijah Jones, CB BC.
The Patriots look local to address their cornerback depth. Going to school just 25-miles away from Gillette Stadium, Jones could be an ideal fit in New England.
This previous season, injuries to Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Marcus Jones left the Patriots with a cornerback room largely depending on Myles Bryant and Shaun Wade.
In his final season at Boston College, Jones intercepted five passes and batted down thirteen additional passes. The Patriots need for a late-round lockdown corner to add depth to their DB room is urgent, and Jones could satisfy this need.
Not to mention, the Patriots need another CB with the last name "Jones," pairing with Jones due of Jonathan and Marcus , and replacing Jack Jones who was released in the middle of last season. The jokes really do write themselves sometimes.
Round 7, Pick 249 (Pick via previous trade with SF).
Taurrian Stafford, IOL New Mexico.
As a late-round depth piece, picking up Stafford would immediately help the Patriots interior offensive-line.
In his previous two seasons, Stafford allowed zero sacks while having the ability to play any position on the interior O-Line. Additionally, Stafford is already a great size to be an NFL lineman.
Last year's Patriots O-Line saw issues in replacing injured starters, and Stafford could help that by immediately stepping in at any position on the interior. Whether he is picked up as a late-round draft pick, or as an undrafted free-agent, Stafford would fit into the Patriots offense perfectly.
My exclusive interview with Stafford can be found in the "Recent Articles" tab of this website, or by clicking here.