I’ve now used Pro Football Network’s multi-user Mock Draft Simulator to conduct three seven-round New England Patriots NFL Mock Drafts. And each time, I took LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the No. 3 pick.
However, what happens after the third pick has varied wildly.
In this version, I have the Patriots executing three trades — while turning down many others — to address their myriad roster holes. When the dust settled, New England achieved Eliot Wolf’s goal of “weaponizing the offense” while adding needed talent on defense.
New England Patriots 2024 NFL Mock 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. I wound up making 10 picks, including three in the fourth round.
Here’s each pick from my 2024 Patriots NFL Mock Draft:
- Round 1, Pick 3: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
- Round 2, Pick 34: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
- Round 3, Pick 83: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington (trade)
- Round 4, Pick 103: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
- Round 4, Pick 128: Jaylan Ford, LB Texas (trade)
- Round 4, Pick 133: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia (trade)
- Round 5, Pick 137: Audric Estimé, RB Notre Dame
- Round 6, Pick 180: Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
- Round 6, Pick 194: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss (trade)
- Round 7, Pick 224: Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming (trade)
7-Round New England Patriots NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 3: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
Will Jayden Daniels really be available at No. 3? Multiple rumors indicate he won’t, as Daniels reportedly has leapfrogged Drake Maye in the eyes of many NFL talent evaluators.
Nevertheless, the Washington Commanders took Maye at No. 2 in this simulation, so Daniels was on the board at 3. And, despite multiple tempting trade offers, I did what the Patriots should do: draft the next franchise QB.
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 34: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (Trade)
I was worried Xavier Worthy would be gone by the time I was back on the clock at No. 34, but everything worked out. Either way, I was committed to using the Patriots’ second pick to select a receiver, which is a glaring area of need.
The pick here is Worthy, whose elite speed is sorely needed in New England’s slow, middling offense. The prospect of pairing Daniels with a receiver like him was too good to pass up.
Round 3, Pick 83: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington (Trade)
When I accepted the Los Angeles Rams’ offer and traded back from No. 68, I thought for sure Roger Rosengarten would be off the board. But I was wrong.
I gave the Rams pick 68, plus a 2025 fifth-rounder, for pick Nos. 83 and 99 in this year’s draft. I’ll get to the 99th pick in a minute, but at 83, I finally landed an offensive tackle.
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.
Rosengarten is currently viewed more as an RT prospect. Yet, 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.
Round 4, Pick 103: Cade Stover, TE, Ohio State
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 Bill Belichick neglected the position for whatever reason.
So, with the 103rd pick, I selected Ohio State tight end Cade Stover. He needs to work on his blocking, but Stover has all the traits to become a dangerous pass-catching TE in the NFL. He’s got huge hands, is great after the catch, and has an uncanny ability to make adjustments at the point of reception.
Round 4, Pick 128: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas (Trade)
That 99th pick? I flipped it and a 2025 seventh-rounder (owned by the Titans) to the Buffalo Bills for picks 128 and 133. I’m going to pat myself on the back for this series of moves.
With the 128th selection, I drafted Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford.
The Patriots are solid at linebacker with Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, and newcomer Sione Takitaki. All are good players, but their ceilings are limited, and Bentley already might be wearing down after playing a ton of snaps the last few seasons.
Ford provides a needed infusion of youth and athleticism.
Round 4, Pick 133: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia (Trade)
The Patriots are too thin at receiver to leave this draft with just one wideout. Ideally, I would’ve used this pick — acquired in the aforementioned Bills trade — to draft someone who profiles as a boundary receiver. Yet, Malik Washington was the top receiving talent on the board, so he’s the pick.
MORE: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Washington might be redundant with DeMario Douglas, who impressed as a rookie in 2023. Both are short, slot-first receivers with dynamic athleticism. However, the Patriots need more speed and explosiveness on offense, regardless of positional redundancy.
Round 5, Pick 137: Audric Estimé, RB, Notre Dame
The Patriots are set at running back this season with Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, who recently joined the team on a three-year contract. But the future of the position is uncertain.
Stevenson is set to enter a contract season, and Gibson is a receiving-first back who’s in New England on a team-friendly deal. Even if the Patriots sign Stevenson to an extension, they’d be wise to draft a developmental back who can take some of the weight off his shoulders.
So, I went with Audric Estimé, who’s not as polished of a receiver as Stevenson but has comparable size, speed, and between-tackle running ability. He’s not an electrifying prospect, but Estimé could be a steal in the middle rounds, as Stevenson was in 2021.
Round 6, Pick 180: Jarvis Brownlee Jr., CB, Louisville
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.
Should I have picked a corner earlier in this draft? Maybe. But I didn’t, and instead waited until Round 6, where I double-dipped.
The first pick is Jarvis Brownlee Jr. at No. 180 overall. The 5-foot-11 Brownlee is an impressive athlete who can play both outside and inside. The Patriots love versatile cornerbacks, so Brownlee would fit right in and potentially earn a role right away.
Round 6, Pick 194: Deantre Prince, CB, Ole Miss (Trade)
I was supposed to pick at No. 193, but the Bengals came calling. Cincinnati offered pick Nos. 194 and 224 for 193 and 231, and I accepted. It’s not a crazy trade, but I get to move up seven spots in Round 7 by moving back just one spot in Round 6. Good deal.
GET DRAFTING: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
I chose Deantre Prince, who’s a bit taller than Brownlee at 6 feet. Prince is a raw prospect and doesn’t play with great physicality or effort. However, he has the tools to develop into a solid depth corner and is a willing tackler in the running game.
Round 7, Pick 224: Frank Crum, OT, Wyoming (Trade)
This was the perfect time to purchase a late-round lottery ticket.
Frank Crum is raw and needs to work on his technique. But he’s 6-foot-8 with the kind of athleticism that shouldn’t be allowed at that size. Get him in the system, coach him up, and hope he turns into a steal.
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!