Our staff has compiled what the top 'experts' are predicting the New England Patriots will do in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
EXPERT: Daniel Jeremiah, NFL.com
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 25, 2024
Jeremiah's Analysis:
"I feel confident the third selection will be Maye. I lean toward thinking the Patriots will stick and pick. When you need a quarterback, you don't try to get cute and move around the board."
Click here for Daniel Jeremiah's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
PICK #6: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
NOTE: Zierlein projects a trade with the New York Giants to move down to the #6 pick.
LAST UPDATED: April 25, 2024
Zierlein's Analysis:
"The Patriots decide to pass on both quarterback and wide receiver in order to land their bell-cow left tackle, attempting to fortify the trenches in what could be a three-year rebuild/restock for Eliot Wolf, Jerod Mayo and Co."
Click here for Lance Zierlein's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Jordan Reid, ESPN
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Reid's Analysis:
"The Patriots are likely to receive calls from multiple QB-needy teams that are outside the top five, but they should stay put and pick their next franchise QB here. With Jacoby Brissett already on the roster, this would be an ideal landing spot for Maye. The Patriots could be patient and let him develop as they continue to build up the offense. Maye's tools are intriguing, and he's my QB2 in this class, but his footwork and decision-making will need to improve."
RD 2 PICK (34): Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Reid's Analysis:
"Sixty WRs had more receiving yards than DeMario Douglas (561 yards) last season, but Douglas still led the Patriots' group. Now that New England has its QB in place -- we gave Drake Maye to the Pats at No. 3 -- it can add a big-body boundary receiver on Day 2. Coleman can play outside or in the slot, and his catch radius would be a great security blanket for Maye."
Click here for Jordan Reid's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Eric Edholm, NFL.com
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Edholm's Analysis:
"Some of the negativity hurled toward Maye in the pre-draft process has felt like overkill to me. The Patriots can take their time grooming him, but it might not be long before Maye could unseat Jacoby Brissett once we get a feel for what this Patriots offense has to work with. "
Click here for Eric Edholm's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Rob Rang, Fox Sports
PICK: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Rob Rang's Analysis:
"The Patriots would almost surely pounce on Williams or Maye if either were available here, but for a franchise seeking a true rebuild, Daniels' dual-threat talents and Heisman pedigree match nicely with new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, providing a perfect departure from the stationary pocket passers that typified the previous era."
Click here for Rob Rang's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Bucky Brooks, NFL.com
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Brook's Analysis:
"Eliot Wolf scoops up the quarterback with the prototypical size, athleticism and arm talent. Maye's uneven final season at North Carolina does not discourage the Patriots from placing their faith in the 21-year-old.."
Click here for Bucky Brook's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Pete Prisco, CBS
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Prisco's Analysis:
"I prefer Maye over the remaining quarterbacks, even if he has some mechanical flaws that need fixing. The Patriots have to address quarterback, so this would work."
Click here for Pete Prisco's full mock draft
EXPERT: Alex Barth, 98.5 FM The Sports Hub
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 22, 2024
Barth's Analysis:
"This has been my projection all the way through the offseason, and I'm sticking to it. Despite all the noise around the Patriots getting creative, I think when it's time to make a call the most obvious solution – taking the best quarterback available – is the right one."
RD 2 PICK #48: Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
NOTE: Barth projects the Patriots trading with Jaguars and moving from 34 to 48.
Barth's Analysis:
"Having run a 4.39-second 40 with a 40-inch vertical at his size, Legette falls squarely in the mold of receiver the Packers often took while Wolf was in Green Bay. If he is in fact on their radar, this is where they'd need to take him to land him."
Click here for Alex Barth's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 23, 2024
Perry's Analysis:
"Maye has the kind of arm that will help him play through the elements in Foxboro, and he's impressed in all of his pre-draft meetings with the organization thanks to what he's shown from a football IQ standpoint. The coaching staff is confident in its ability to iron out whatever mechanical issues Maye may take with him to his new home, and some insist -- due to coaching and personnel changes in 2023 -- his 2022 film is a much better indicator of what he'll be with the right people in his ear. "
**Click here** for Phil Perry's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 22, 2024
Iyer's Analysis:
"The Patriots moved on from Mac Jones and are breaking in a new offensive coordinator, Alex Van Pelt. Van Pelt did a great job with the Browns getting the most out of big, tall classic gunslinger Joe Flacco and athletic sensation Deshaun Watson. Maye is a mashup of both frames and skill sets, even matching the weight of Watson with plus mobility."
Click here for Vinnie Iyer's full seven-round mock draft.
EXPERT: Chad Reuter, NFL.com
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 19, 2024
Reuter's Analysis:
"It looks as though the Patriots will ride with a rookie quarterback in the post-Bill Belichick era, grabbing whomever the Commanders pass on between Daniels and Maye. Maye's strength in the pocket and all-around skill set scream NFL starter, and the team hopes new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt can mold him into a consistent winner."
Click here for Chad Reuter's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Josh Edwards, CBS Sports
PICK: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
LAST UPDATED: April 19, 2024
Edward's Analysis:
"New England is faced with a choice between LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels and another Michigan quarterback. There have been rumors about the franchise's interest in Daniels dating to Bill Belichick's time."
Click here for Josh Edward's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
PICK: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
LAST UPDATED: April 17, 2024
Trapasso's Analysis:
"Surprise! Well, kind of. The McCarthy hype train left the station at the combine, and the Patriots are the final stop for the former Michigan quarterback in Foxborough."
Click here for Chris Trapasso's full seven-round mock draft.
EXPERT: Dane Brugler, The Athletic
LAST UPDATED: April 17, 2024
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Brugler's Analysis:
"Listening to trade offers is the responsible move for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf. But it is tough to imagine the Patriots passing on a quarterback here, especially if Maye makes it to No. 3. Owner Robert Kraft is not interested in another offensive season like last year in New England."
Click here for Dane Brugler's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Mel Kiper Jr, ESPN
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 15, 2024
Kiper's Analysis:
"I don't see the Patriots trading back, even if they have needs at several other positions. Taking Maye secures their future at the NFL's most important position."
Click here for Mel Kiper's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Evan Lazar, Patriots.com
PICK #11: Olu Fashanu, OT, Penn State
NOTE: Lazar projects a trade with the Vikings moving down and acquiring picks #11 and #23 and a 2025 first round pick.
LAST UPDATED: April 8, 2024
Lazar's Analysis:
"Fashanu needs to clean up his technique in the run game, and the Ohio State tape might scare off some teams (six QB pressures allowed). However, the Penn State product is a ready-made blindside protector with elite upside, particularly if he can improve his pad level and footwork in the run game."
PICK #23: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
Lazar's Analysis:
"We've been on the Adonai Mitchell train since before the combine because he checks every box for a high-end outside receiver prospect. Mitchell's athletic profile is elite with a 9.99 out of 10 relative athletic score after posting a 4.34-second 40-yard dash and a 39.5-inch vertical jump at 6-2, 205 pounds. Unfortunately, his combine testing likely put him in the first round conversation, rather than an option at No. 34 as some originally thought."
Click here for Evan Lazar's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Field Yates, ESPN
PICK: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 3, 2024
Yates's Analysis:
"I am firmly of the belief that the Patriots should not trade down from this pick and should take a quarterback, regardless whether it is Maye or Daniels. Maye has the ideal quarterback build at 6-foot-4 and 223 pounds, a massive arm and very, very good mobility. While he had a lesser year in 2023 compared to 2022, I still see all the traits for him to be a franchise quarterback. And New England needs one after finishing 30th in yards per attempt last season (6.1). The Patriots must use the rest of this draft to surround Maye with wide receiver and offensive line help."
RD 2 PICK (34): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina
Yates's Analysis:
"New lead decision-maker Eliot Wolf has talked about adding playmakers to the New England offense, and at 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, Legette would bring physicality and explosion. He had 1,255 yards last season and is an outstanding run-after-catch player."
Click here for Field Yates's full two-round mock draft.
EXPERT: Mike Dussault, Patriots.com
PICK #3: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
LAST UPDATED: April 1, 2024
Dussault's Analysis:
"After many months of consideration, Maye is my guy and I'll be holding my breath when the Commanders are on the clock. Simply put, I think he possesses all the potential the Patriots need and would be worth missing on if he doesn't work out, his ceiling is that high. There's so much to like from Maye, from his size and arm talent to his ability to make off-platform throws and his leadership traits as a two-time captain. It's all there if the Patriots can bring it out of him. There are things he'll need to develop, with his pocket footwork a common target of film breakdowns, as well as his sometimes erratic decision-making. But he's still just 21 years old and has plenty of growing to do across the board as he develops into a mature, measured quarterback. If he can make the kind of strides that Josh Allen made, the Patriots can set their sights on the playoffs shortly, no matter what happens at tackle or receiver, commonly accepted as the team's biggest needs outside of QB."
PICK #25:Tyler Guyton, T, Oklahoma
NOTE: Dussault projects a trade with the Green Bay Packers to acquire the 25th overall pick.
Dussault's Analysis:
"Guyton is raw but has an extremely high ceiling as a potential long-term starter at either tackle spot. His size and athleticism are what stand out to me, especially as the Patriots transition to an offense under Alex Van Pelt that will likely include plenty of wide zone runs. Like Maye, Guyton will need to iron out some details but all of the requisite traits are there for him to be a long-term bookend for New England."
Click here for Mike Dussault's full mock draft.
EXPERT: Matt Miller, ESPN
PICK #11: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
NOTE: Miller projects the Patriots trading with the Vikings to move down to the 11th pick and also acquiring the 23rd pick.
LAST UPDATED: March 27, 2024
Miller's Analysis:
"After a trade down, the Patriots can get a building block left tackle in Fashanu. In 21 games as a starter at left tackle, he allowed one sack and eight pressures. The Patriots' offensive line allowed 47 sacks last season (ninth-most in the league) and lost starter Trent Brown in free agency. Plugging in Fashanu at left tackle and moving Mike Onwenu to right tackle suddenly makes things look pretty good here. This is a talented tackle class, but it's light on the left side. Trading out of No. 3 would mean the Patriots miss out on the top-end quarterbacks in this class, but adding a near-lock at left tackle and exploring alternate QB options is a good team-building play."
PICK #23: Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa
Miller's Analysis:
"After landing Olumuyiwa Fashanu with the first of two acquired first-rounders from the mock trade, the Patriots can now get a versatile defensive back who was a certified playmaker in college. DeJean grabbed seven interceptions over the past two seasons, returning three for TDs. The Patriots have last year's first-rounder Christian Gonzalez returning from a torn labrum, and I like this pairing a lot. DeJean missed his combine workout while recovering from a broken leg suffered late in the 2023 season, but he should be ready to roll in Week 1."
Click here for Matt Miller's full mock draft
DISCLAIMER: The views and thoughts expressed in this article are those of the writer and don't necessarily reflect those of the organization. Read Full Disclaimer
