The final signal flare for the end of the New England Patriots‘ dynasty was shot off with the unceremonious dismissal of legendary coach Bill Belichick following a 4-13 finish last year.
With Mac Jones, Tom Brady’s heir apparent at quarterback, also leaving town after being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s a clean slate in New England, and the Patriots had plenty of picks in the 2024 NFL Draft to rebuild with.
Selecting in the top five for the first time since 1994 (DE Willie McGinest, pick 4) and top three for the first time since 1993 (QB Drew Bledsoe, pick 1), here’s a look at a full list of the Patriots’ 2024 Draft picks.
Full List of Patriots Draft Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 3
Drake Maye, QB | North Carolina - Round 2, Pick 37 (From LAC)
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR | Washington - Round 3, Pick 68
Caedan Wallace, OT | Penn State - Round 4, Pick 103
Layden Robinson, G | Texas A&M - Round 4, Pick 110 (From LAC through CHI)
Javon Baker, WR | UCF - Round 6, Pick 180
Marcellas Dial, CB | South Carolina - Round 6, Pick 193 (from JAX)
Joe Milton, QB | Tennessee - Round 7, Pick 231 (from CHI)
Jaheim Bell, TE | Florida State
Who Did the Patriots Draft in 2024?
Drake Maye, QB, Round 1, Pick 3
New England is rolling with Drake Maye to help jumpstart the new era of the Patriots Way.
While Maye becomes the fourth QB since 1983 to get drafted in the first round by the Pats, he’s officially the first selection of the Jerod Mayo regime. Maye, though, is anticipated to bring elite athleticism and a high-level velocity touch to his throws as noted by PFN’s Ian Cummings. Maye even earned the title of QB1 for this class by Cummings.
“Maye is my QB1 in the 2024 NFL Draft and a top-three prospect along with Williams and Marvin Harrison Jr. It’s close between Maye and Williams for QB1, but Maye scored a marginally higher grade from me with his size, athleticism, arm, and leverage IQ,” Cummings wrote.
The top overall prospect on PFN's Big Board is the new QB1⃣ for the #Patriots. 🎯#GoHeels | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/srOi2lTTz8
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
The Pats even flirted with constant trade rumblings that they would move down and earn more draft capital. However, the Pats stayed down pat and swooped up the third signal-caller of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Pick 37
In the first round, the Patriots took their QB of the future and then turned around and grabbed a weapon for him to throw to with the selection of Ja’Lynn Polk.
The Patriots desperately needed outside help, and with Polk coming in he has a chance to be a game-changer for an offense that needs it from Day 1.
Pro Football Network’s Cummings is a fan of Polk and states the sky is the limit for the young WR.
“Polk grades out as a top-50 prospect and a fringe first-round talent in the 2024 NFL Draft on my board. Schematically, he’s one of the most diverse receivers in the class, and he also has the catch-point reliability and RAC skills to win his quarterback over quickly.”
READ MORE: Ja’Lynn Polk’s Draft Profile
It’s been a good start to the Mayo era in New England, and with seven more picks to work with, it could be a big-time first draft for the new regime in Foxborough.
Caedan Wallace, OT, Round 3, Pick 68
The Patriots have gone all offense for their first three picks, after selecting their QB of the future and a weapon to throw to, they follow it up by drafting an OT to protect upfront. With the drafting of Caedan Wallace the Patriots get much-needed OL depth at an important spot.
KEEP READING: Caedan Wallace Scouting Report
According to Cummings, Wallace is toolsy and has the ability you can work with as he fine-tunes his skills.
“Wallace plays with overall good athleticism that shows up watching him climb in space and get to his landmarks at the second and third level, and he backed it up with good numbers at the NFL Combine. His play strength, when he can get properly engaged with defenders, frequently overwhelmed competition and earned him wins.”
Layden Robinson, G, Round 4, Pick 103
With their first pick of Day 3, the Patriots double-dip at the OL position. With it being a massive need for more bodies upfront, it’s a fit that makes a lot of sense for New England.
KEEP READING: Layden Robinson’s Scouting Report
According to Cummings, “Robinson’s play strength when engaged with defenders is a sight to see, as he often escorts defenders well out of the play through brute strength alone. Smaller defenders can be engulfed in his build and power and end up on the turf.”
Javon Baker, WR, Round 4, Pick 110
The Patriots knew they had holes in their roster, and made sure to attack those early and often. The drafting of Javon Baker is another sign of that strategy as they look to build around Maye.
KEEP READING: Javon Baker Scouting Report
According to Cummings, “Baker grades out as a fringe top-100 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’d be an exceptional value addition early on Day 3.”
Marcellas Dial, CB, Round 6, Pick 180
Patriots add to their secondary with the selection of Marcellas Dial early in the sixth round. With a room that already has young promising talent, Dial comes into New England hoping to add to the equation going forward.
Joe Milton, QB, Round 6, Pick 193
Patriots got their QB of the future in Round 1, but that didn’t stop them from adding a big-armed QB project in the sixth round to develop.
KEEP READING: Joe Milton’s Scouting Report
Cummings says, “Milton grades out as a late-round or potential PFA prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has one of the biggest arms in the class, and that alone will generate interest for him. But in Milton’s profile, there’s also plenty of uncertainty regarding how he’ll translate in the NFL.”
Jaheim Bell, TE, Round 7, Pick 231
With the final pick of the Patriots draft, they add an intriguing TE prospect out of Florida State.
KEEP READING: Jaheim Bell’s Scouting Report
Cummings says, “Bell grades out as a mid-to-late Day 3 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. A strong Senior Bowl showing helped Bell’s cause, and his testing could further elevate his stock into the early Day 3 range. Bell’s profile as a niche player slightly dilutes his ceiling, but he can be a valuable piece in the modern NFL.”
