How would you grade the 2024 draft?

A-/B+

Maye makes it a B at the lowest and then I really like the Baker/Polk/Bell picks (and obviously the Bazooka but that’s more me ironically liking him)

how you can possibly grade a draft when the players haven’t played?

What you’re asking is, how well do NE’s draft choices match my armchair amateur opinion (formed by reading mock drafts penned by other amateurs) of what they should have done?

I think you need some more sources, I get my information from many sources. All of them are professionals that are paid to study tape and write scouting reports. Yeah there's a crazy amount of bad sources out there now a days compared to 30 years ago. Guys like Dane Brugler aren't amateurs and he clearly watches a ton of tape.

It's part of the draft to make things fun, get fans more involved and it's working. You always grade after draft and then four years later.

Are you new to sports banter?

Don't know how comparing a guy to Meyers became an insult. He's a clear #2 wide receiver and has been paid as such on the open market. That's a slam dunk good outcome for a second-round pick.

I loves Meyers and was mad they let him go, even after signing JuJu. I think Meyers is a nice player who works well in the slot, but I guess I'm used to the Patriots finding those guys everywhere and Meyers being a UDFA doesn't help the perception. My thoughts on an early 2nd rounder is an outside receiver with potential while a solid slot receiver type is late 2nd/3rd round.

That's just me undervaluing the position, not an insult on either Polk or Meyers.

I guess the comp came from Phil Perry
www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/phil-perry-patriots-jalynn-polk-2024-nfl-draft-pick-grade/607820/


Mohammad Sanu is another one.
bleacherreport.com/articles/10117294-jalynn-polk-nfl-draft-2024-scouting-report-for-new-england-patriots-wr


Based on your comments outside of a slight difference in height and weight he sounds more like a healthy JuJu. Near same 40 time, can make the catches, same 10 yard split, Polk can't jump quiet as high

I gave a B , I love the two wrs. I think getting Milton was ballsy. The Packers do this type of draft they always would have extra QB'S. I think its time to make Wolf full time too.

B+
looked at each pick from the perspective of:
(1) was it a position of need
(2) good overall value from the pick? Was the Mock Draft Database rank of the player around the draft slot where we took him?
(3) was he the best player on the board at his position? Measured by both Mock Draft Database and separately by my subjective opinion.
(4) give a grade to each pick
(5) average the grades weighted by the draft slot's Jimmy Johnson trade value ie getting the first pick right is most important.

Draft Slot 3 (Jimmy Johnson Value 2200) Drake Maye
Position of need: QB yes
Overall good value: Yes. MDB had him at 2
Best at position (MDB): Yes.
Best at position (subjective): Yes. I liked him a lot more than Jaden Daniels who was taken ahead of him.
Grade: A

37 (530) Ja'Lynn Polk
Position of need: WR yes
Overall good value: No. MDB had him at 60. There was a lot of talent between those two slots.
Best at position (MDB): Probably not but close. There were a few WRs on the board who MDB had ahead of Polk. AD Mitchell, Troy Franklin, Roman Wilson. Franklin fell a long way so maybe there was an issue there. AD Mitchell was ranked well ahead of Polk.
Best at position (subjective): No. I liked Polk less than MDB did.
Grade: C

68 (250) Caelan Wallace
Position of need: OT? Yes
Overall good value: No. MDB had him ranked 178 and we took him at 68. One of the larger overdrafts. I get why they did it. Pats needed OT help, but once they took Maye at 3, it was very doubtful that they were going to get an impact OT - even at 34. Likely what would be left over was developmental guys, low ceiling guys, and guys who might have to move to the interior. This looks like they forced it. Do the Pats really think he was the 68th best player in the draft? or even close to it? I would be interested to hear that argument.
Best at position (MDB): No. If you were willing to go developmental, Amegadjie. If you are willing to go low ceiling, Javon Foster or Christian Jones. If you can accept guys who might need to move, Beebe or Puni. All ranked well ahead of him.
Best at position (subjective): No. Many analysts are skeptical that he can even stay at OT.
Grade: D

103 (88) Layden Robinson
Position of need: IOL yes. I was all in favor of upgrading OG and/or getting a successor to David Andrews.
Overall good value: No. MDB had him ranked 156. That's still a pretty significant overdraft.
Best at position (MDB): No. McCormick, Mahogany, Van Pran, Limmer all ranked well ahead of him were still on the board.
Best at position (subjective): No.
Grade: D

110 (74) Javon Baker
Position of need: WR yes
Overall good value: Yes. MDB had him at 89.
Best at position (MDB): He, Devontez Walker, and Malik Washington were ranked close. Walker went just after him. Washington fell, but he is probably slot only. Arguably yes.
Best at position (subjective): if you need an outside receiver, yes. Baker or Walker.
Grade: A

180 (19) Marcellas Dial
Position of need: DB. yes. We could use an additional starter at either FS or CB (moving JJones to FS)
Overall good value: No. MDB had him at 264. We took him at 180. But as you go lower in the draft, there is less significance to difference in rank.
Best at position (MDB): No. D.J. James was ranked well above him. Kalen King, Devonshire, Hadden, Harden were all still on the board too.
Best at position (subjective): I was actually pleasantly surprised especially if they want to move him to FS. I had not looked at him before the draft. Was he the best remaining? Probably not. But he wasn't a bad choice depending on what exactly you want.
Grade: B

193 (14) Joe Milton
Position of need: backup QB? No.
Overall good value: Yes. We got him at fair value. MDB had him at 182.
Best at position (MDB): No. Pratt was still on the board.
Best at position (subjective): It depends on what you are looking for. He has a lower floor than Pratt and Leary, but a higher ceiling. But the chance of him improving to the point where he is useful is low.
Grade: C maybe I should have given him a D but he will be fun to watch

231 (1) Jaheim Bell
Position of need: TE/HB/FB/ST? Not sure where he will play. Since Jonnu left, we don't have a TE/HB/FB. Moderate need.
Overall good value: Yes. MDB had him at 153. There were a few guys still on the board ranked higher, but not many.
Best at position (MDB): as a TE yes
Best at position (subjective): depends what position they plan to use him at. But yes probably.
Grade: A

So weighted average of those grades is B+ driven very heavily by Drake Maye.

He can look like Juju on certain plays, but there's also a bunch of down field throws and contested catches. He's very unique, like his downfield route versus Texas, not something you see everyday. Depending on what tape you watch, he can look like multiple players. Why I'm not even going to try giving him a comp right now. He just makes plays all over the field in many different ways.