The 2024 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and the New England Patriots are among the league’s top X-factors. Will they keep the No. 3 pick and draft their next quarterback? Or will the new regime, led by head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, trade down and gather more assets?
On Wednesday, Pro Football Network launched a new feature on our Mock Draft Simulator. Fans can now utilize a first-of-its-kind multi-user function that enables groups to conduct mock drafts together.
Earlier this week, PFN staffers gathered to conduct the first-ever multi-user NFL mock draft simulation. Each member was assigned a team for the draft, which lasted seven rounds and featured numerous trades. I drew the Patriots, and many fans probably will approve of my choice for the No. 3 pick.
New England Patriots 2024 NFL Draft Picks
At the time of this writing, New England has eight picks to work with. That number obviously could change, either before or during April’s draft. When the dust settled from our mock draft, I had the Patriots executing multiple trades and making six picks.
Here’s each pick from my 2024 Patriots NFL Mock Draft:
- Round 1, Pick 3: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
- Round 1, Pick 32: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (trade)
- Round 3, Pick 68: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
- Round 4, Pick 103: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
- Round 5, Pick 149: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU (trade)
- Round 6, Pick 191: Evan Anderson, DT, FAU (trade)
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7-Round New England Patriots NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 3: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
I had some tempting trade offers, but in the end, I did the smart thing and stayed at No. 3 to select a quarterback.
Multiple recent reports indicate the Washington Commanders are leaning toward selecting Jayden Daniels as the No. 2 pick. But in our mock draft, the Commanders took UNC QB Drake Maye, so I was left to choose between Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
The decision was easy.
Daniels might be more ready to start than any quarterback in this draft. He’s accurate, fantastic as a runner, and has all the intangibles you’re looking for in a franchise QB. Sure, his slender frame is a concern, but the Patriots can put him to work in the weight room.
Round 1, Pick 32: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (Trade)
I tried to trade back into the first round multiple times to select a receiver. First I wanted Malik Nabers, then I targeted Brian Thomas Jr. It took a while, but I finally found a taker in the Kansas City Chiefs, who worried me as another receiver-needy team.
I traded New England’s second-round pick (34) and fifth-round pick (137) to move up two spots — and I stand by the decision.
MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
The pick here is Xavier Worthy, whose elite speed is sorely needed in New England’s slow, middling offense. The prospect of pairing Daniels with a receiver like Worthy was too good to pass up.
Round 3, Pick 68: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
The Patriots addressed their right tackle need by re-signing stud lineman Mike Onwenu, who’s better as a guard but still is an above-average right tackle. However, New England still needs to find its left tackle of the future.
Roger Rosengarten is currently viewed more as a right tackle prospect. However, he has the size and traits to play on the left if his development goes well.
It’s an unpopular opinion, but I believe the Patriots have underrated short-term options at left tackle in Chukwuma Okorafor and Vederian Lowe. Both could start if Rosengarten isn’t ready.
Regardless, I couldn’t justify waiting until after Round 3 to draft a tackle, even if they’re a flawed prospect.
Round 4, Pick 103: Kalen King, CB, Penn State
Cornerback is an underrated need for the Patriots. Christian Gonzalez looks like a No. 1 corner, but he’s inexperienced and coming off a major injury. New England doesn’t have any other options on the boundary except Jonathan Jones, who’s aging and is better in the slot.
So, I drafted Kalen King, who’s one of the better playmaking corners in this class. He also is a tenacious competitor, which could endear him to a Patriots coaching staff that’s looking to establish an identity in the post-Bill Belichick era.
Round 5, Pick 149: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU (Trade)
The Patriots will enter next season with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper as their top tight ends — and that’s fine. They’re both good pros.
But New England can’t wait any longer to develop a tight end for the future. The Patriots should’ve done this years ago, but Belichick neglected the position for whatever reason.
After failing to trade up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, I moved up into the fifth to land a tight. To do so, I sent pick Nos. 180 and 193 to the Cincinnati Bengals, who didn’t love how the board was falling.
Jared Wiley isn’t an elite TE prospect, but he’s a very intriguing talent. At 6-foot-7, he’s a big target with an enormous catch radius. Although he’s far more developed as a blocker, Wiley has a strong feel for receiving that could help him develop into a solid all-around tight end for the Patriots.
Round 6, Pick 191: Evan Anderson, DT, FAU (Trade)
I had some intel that our Bengals beat reporter, Jay Morrison, was eyeing Evan Anderson in the later rounds to fill Cincy’s need at nose tackle. So, I moved up to No. 191 (the Bengals picked at 193 and 194) by trading my 2024 seventh-round pick (231) and a 2025 fifth-rounder to the Los Angeles Chargers.
I might lose a friend over it, but I don’t regret it.
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
The Patriots’ top nose tackle, Davon Godchaux, is under contract for one more season. He’s a solid player, but New England shouldn’t extend itself to re-sign him next offseason. The Patriots also can’t be left empty-handed at nose tackle, though.
Anderson profiles as a true run-stuffing DT and is the kind of prospect they should’ve drafted years ago. He could take next season to develop before assuming a larger role in 2025.
All the 2024 NFL Draft resources you need — the draft order, the top QBs, the Top 100 prospects, and the full 2024 Big Board — right at your fingertips at Pro Football Network!
