The New England Patriots are clearly one of the worst teams in the league, and there will likely be some shake-ups coming all across the board.
However, as the team continues to look over options for coaches, they will likely have a top-five pick in the 2024 NFL draft and be in prime position to take advantage of one of the best offensive draft classes in recent memory. The class is expected to have multiple elite level talents at virtually every offensive position.
It is worth noting that the Patriots will have plenty of cap space to add to key areas of improvement, but they will also turn to the draft as they look to rebuild the team from the ground up.
Let’s start looking towards the future and get into our latest seven-round mock draft for the Patriots.
Round 1, Pick No. 4: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Drake Maye immediately gives the Patriots and their likely new regime a new clock to develop a quarterback the right way this time around. Mac Jones lacked the talent to work outside of structure, and Maye has much more arm talent to be able to succeed.
There is some Justin Herbert in his game, and he would be an excellent fit for a new offensive-minded coach. Caleb Williams was gone at No. 1 overall, thanks to the Chicago Bears.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals opted for Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 2, and the Washington Commanders decided to give quarterback Sam Howell some offensive line help at No. 3.
There is a chance that Williams could fail in a much worse situation in Chicago, and Maye could be the better prospect of the two when it’s said and done. But the Patriots were lucky no one traded ahead of them, and they still got the guy.
The Patriots have been looking for this level of quarterback play since 2020, when Tom Brady packed his bags for Tampa Bay.
Round 2, Pick No. 36: WR Keon Coleman, Florida State
Coleman is a big-bodied receiver with high-level athleticism and the talent to be a true No. 1 wideout.
The Patriots will likely add some veteran help and supplement with JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne and Demario Douglas. But Coleman is the talent they have been lacking in New England for quite some time.
Even if he doesn’t work out, the Patriots would at least be signaling they are listening and understand they need to take multiple high picks on receivers to find the talent necessary to succeed in the modern NFL.
Round 3, Pick No. 68: OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame
Blake Fisher has good size and athleticism, and although the league has been paying attention to Joe Alt on the opposite side, he is a very capable tackle that should translate well to the next level.
He will compete for the starting left tackle slot on day one with Mike Onwenu likely back at right tackle. The Patriots can begin to create a true pipeline of pure tackles, which is something they haven’t done in a while.
It’s time to get serious about improving in the offensive trenches, and this is where it starts.
Round 4, Pick No. 104: TE Cade Stover, Ohio State
Stover is a true inline tight end that could benefit from sliding to the fourth round to work on his route-running. The Patriots need to take a tight end with some upside, and Stover has shown he can hang in big games.
Hunter Henry and Pharaoh Brown are two players the Patriots could bring back in a bridge setting, and Stover fits nicely between the two of them, allowing the Patriots to properly develop him.
Round 5, Pick No. 141: OT Jack Nelson, Wisconsin
Nelson has a big build and more power than finesse to his game. However, he is a legit pass protector.
The two rookies, Blake Fisher and Nelson, would compete in camp, but through that competition, the Patriots could also get creative. If Fisher and Nelson are both good starting caliber tackles, they have a chance to move Mike Onwenu back inside to guard, while kicking Sidy Sow or Atonio Mafi to left guard, while Cole Strange is out. That would give them a chance to form the best offensive line group possible.
The likely scenario is that Onwenu is the right tackle, while Fisher works in on the left side. But adding Nelson gives the team much-needed depth and a tackle to develop.
Round 6, Pick No. 182: RB Rasheen Ali, Marshall
Ali has quick feet, good balance and explosiveness, which makes him a truly underrated dual-threat running back in this class.
Being from a smaller school might hurt him, and so he fell to the sixth round here. The Patriots will likely re-sign Ezekiel Elliott to continue holding down the fort with Rhamondre Stevenson, but Ali is a nice developmental option as the team searches for a receiving back.
Ali is a deadly option in the passing game and falls forward for positive yards every time he has the ball in his hands. He’s a nice project for a new offense and rookie quarterback.
Round 7, Pick No. 225: DT Tim Smith, Alabama
The Patriots still need to find legitimate interior line help, and although Christian Barmore is much-improved and on a dominant tear, they lack a true nose that can allow Barmore to play a more natural position on run downs.
Davon Godchaux might be a cap casualty with how Barmore has played, and the Patriots will look to the end of the draft and UDFA pool to supplement their aging defensive line.
Tim Smith might be more in line with Barmore physically, but he is a solid run defender at 6-foot-4, 302 pounds. He might be a project, as he offers very little in the pass-rush game, but it doesn’t hurt to take a chance on a run-stuffer this late in the draft.
