The Patriots crammed two positions of want on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, however a better examination of the prospects had analysts questioning the worth New England bought.
After buying and selling again three spots, the Patriots chosen huge receiver Ja’Lynn Polk with the thirty seventh choose within the second spherical, after which they picked offensive lineman Caedan Wallace 68th general within the third spherical.
Polk offers No. 3 choose Drake Maye one other weapon for the offense, and Wallace helps add depth to an undermanned offensive line. The three greatest wants for New England heading into the draft have been quarterback, huge receiver and offensive deal with, and de facto basic supervisor Eliot Wolf crammed these wants with three picks.
Nonetheless, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. labeled the Patriots beneath his “questionable picks and reaches” from Spherical ” from his winners and losers of Day 2 column.
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“Listed here are the out there huge receivers I had ranked above Polk when the Patriots chosen him: Adonai Mitchell, Malachi Corley, Roman Wilson, Troy Franklin and Polk’s school teammate, Jalen McMillan,” Kiper wrote Friday. “I believed Polk was extra prone to go close to the top of Spherical 2. Positive, the Patriots needed to get some assist for Drake Maye, however Polk just isn’t a burner and he thrived on contested catches final season, which could be a dangerous profile. This was just a bit excessive based mostly on my board, the place I’ve him No. 74 general.
“I didn’t love the worth for Wallace, both. I noticed him as extra of a mid-Day 3 choose. He’s No. 154 in my rankings. He’ll compete for time at proper deal with, however he gave up too many pressures for my liking.”
Wolf gave perception on the Patriots’ commerce again within the second spherical, and it looks as if his workers had Polk increased on their board than Kiper. New England this offseason employed Tyler Hughes as its huge receivers coach, and he has loads of familiarity with Polk since he was his huge receivers coach at Washington.
The Patriots de facto GM additionally expressed confidence in Wallace’s skill to play left deal with, however his versatility might have been why he might need been increased on their board than Kiper’s. It’s additionally value noting that NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah identified on Friday’s draft broadcast that after the primary 50 prospects, groups are inclined to have various grades and rankings on gamers for the remainder of the draft.
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That doesn’t imply New England nonetheless reached to get its gamers, however there was confidence from Wolf that Polk and Wallace match within the system.