After focusing heavily on their own internal free agents early this spring, the Patriots needs in the 2024 NFL Draft are pretty clear, starting at the quarterback and tackle positions, where the departures of Mac Jones and Trent Brown have left sizable holes in the starting offense. Jacoby Brissett and Chukwuman Okorafor can help offset those losses, but long-term questions at those two important positions remain. Yes, wide receiver could be listed as a significant need as well but with nine players at the position under contract, that spot is more about upgrading the quality not a sizable need simply for NFL-caliber players. As we've seen all offseason, there are three needs atop the list but it isn't easy to nail all three with immediate impact players. So here in this mock draft, I'm going all in at quarterback and tackle and letting the receiver need slide until the third round since that is arguably the deepest position group with the most talent in this year's class. This mock is also a bit heavier on defensive players with two selections of the six going to that side of the ball. However, I see long-term needs in the front seven with many starters only under contract through 2024, so the goal is to re-establish a pipeline along the edge and defensive interior.
North Carolina
Oklahoma
UCF
Kansas State
Michigan
South Dakota State
Mississippi State