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The New England Patriots will enter a new era as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches. Bill Belichick, their head coach for 24 seasons, is no longer with the team. Taking his place is Jerod Mayo, a defensive-minded mentor who once played for Belichick.
The six-time Super Bowl winner’s departure means New England’s general manager position is also vacant. Belichick was head coach and GM during his tenure, giving him complete control in building the team and directing their strategy.
Patriots fans haven’t had much to cheer about, especially with the team experiencing their worst record under Belichick (4-13) last season. Without Belichick, Mayo and team owner Robert Kraft will foster collaboration in developing their strategy for the 2024 NFL Draft.
It could be the class that can turn their fortunes around if they play their cards right. After all, worst-to-first stories aren’t new in the NFL, and the Patriots could be the subsequent case study.
Be the GM of your favorite team, use our free Mock Draft Simulator with trades
How many picks do the Patriots have in the 2024 NFL Draft?
The Patriots have seven selections in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Barring any trades, they will have one pick per round. Despite trading their seventh-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders as part of the Justin Herron trade, they got one back from the Chicago Bears courtesy of the N’Keal Harry transaction.
As it stands, the Patriots have the following selections:
- Round 1, Pick 3
- Round 2, Pick 34
- Round 3, Pick 68
- Round 4, Pick 104
- Round 5, Pick 136
- Round 6, Pick 182
- Round 7, Pick 229
Sportskeeda’s Mock Draft Simulator helped determine which prospects the Patriots might select. Therefore, here’s how a seven-round simulation for their 2024 NFL Draft board might happen:
- Round 1, Pick 3: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
- Round 2, Pick 34: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
- Round 3, Pick 68: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
- Round 4, Pick 104: Javon Foster, OT, Missouri
- Round 5, Pick 136: Christian Jones, OT, Texas
- Round 6, Pick 182: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M
- Round 6, Pick 190: Brenden Rice, WR, USC
- Round 7, Pick 229: Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota
It’s a solid mock draft based on the team’s needs, especially on offense, and they get an additional pick from their original slate via a trade.
Drake Maye falls to the Patriots at number three and the franchise could then load up with targets like Franklin, Smith, and Rice to conduct Alex Van Pelt’s scheme. Foster, Jones, and Spann-Ford can fortify their offensive line.
New England Patriots team needs in 2024
The Patriots must overhaul their offense using the 2024 NFL Draft, especially after averaging 13.9 points per game, tied for the worst rate last season. Hence, they should draft a quarterback who can give Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe a fight. Adding wide receivers can upgrade their talent level at the position.
Likewise, they must protect their quarterback by getting additional offensive tackles and a blocking tight end. Drafting an edge rusher will be a big help to an impressive defensive unit that finished fourth in rushing yards allowed (93.2) last season.
There has been some talk that the Patriots could trade down if LSU's Jayden Daniels isn't on the board at #3 overall.
Sportskeeda's Tony Pauline reports:
"In Indianapolis, the belief was that if the Patriots could not select Daniels, they would trade deep into Round 1 and select Michael Penix Jr."
Pauline added that the Patriots could explore such a trade with the Broncos and the Vikings, two franchise who are desperately in need of a premier QB prospect.
