NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Round 1 (No. 3 overall)
— Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: Maye, 21, comes with all the physical tools – ideal size (6-4, 223), howitzer arm and bruising open-field running ability, a skill set that evokes comparisons to Justin Herbert and Josh Allen. Decisionmaking and some occasionally wildly off-target throws have been issues that need improvement. Veteran QB Jacoby Brissett can start early on if the Patriots opt to hold Maye back.
Round 2 (37, from Chargers) — Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, Washington: Rome Odunze’s wingman with the Huskies, Polk is more than Robin – accumulating 69 grabs for 1,159 yards and nine TDs for the national champion runners-up. The size (6-1, 203) and 4.5 speed should make him a fixture in three-receiver sets.
Round 3 (68) — Caedan Wallace, OT, Penn State: New England has an opening on the left side following the departure of Trent Brown, though Wallace played on the right side for the Nittany Lions.
Round 4 (103) — Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M: Robinson has some of the longest arms and biggest hands in the class. His aggressive play style will be a boost in the running game but he’s more of a project in pass protection.
Round 4 (110, from Bears through Chargers) — Javon Baker, WR, UCF: Baker’s athletic profile compares well to Green Bay’s Romeo Doubs. Baker is not an elite athletic player but thrived after the catch in his final year at UCF.
Round 6 (180) — Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina: Dial’s size and athleticism give him a solid floor as a cornerback; a lack of instincts and tackling are concerns. He is made more for zone schemes and needs time to develop more disciplined spacing in coverage.
Round 6 (193, from Jaguars) — Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee: Milton likely has the strongest arm in this top-heavy quarterback class. The former Volunteer started one season for Tennessee and has arguably the best physical tools in this quarterback class.
Round 7 (231, from Bears) — Jaheim Bel, TE, Florida State: Bell has the speed to stretch the field after the catch and compares well with Chigoziem Okonkwo’s athletic profile.