The first round of the 2024 NFL draft has come and gone, and the New England Patriots added North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the event.
With the most important position on the field addressed, New England should move down their checklist of needs and begin targeting them throughout the rest of the draft.
Before Day 2 starts, let's project the Patriots' seven selections in the remaining six rounds.
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Round 2, Pick No. 34: WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)
If they want Maye to be successful, adding a talented young wideout would be very helpful, and with Mitchell still on the board, they should hop on the chance to add him.
Mitchell, 21, spent two seasons at Georgia before transferring to Texas for his final year. He won two national championships with the Bulldogs and earned Second-team All-Big 12 in 2023.
In 35 games, Mitchell recorded 1,405 yards and 18 touchdowns on 93 receptions.
Round 3, Pick No. 68: WR Jermaine Burton (Alabama)
The Patriots, in the third round, double down on receiver and finally build around a quarterback.
Burton, 22, played two years for the Georgia Bulldogs before spending his final two seasons at Alabama. He won a championship during his time with Georgia.
In 50 games, Burton recorded 132 receptions for 2,376 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Round 4, Pick No. 103: OT Dominick Puni (Kansas)
New England appears to have their right tackle starter in place with Mike Onwenu, but there should be competition for the left side with Chukwuma Okorafor being the expected starter at the moment.
Puni, 24, started his collegiate career at Central Missouri, playing left and right tackle over four seasons for the team. After transferring to Kansas, the 6-foot-5 tackle made First-team All-Big 12 in 2023.
Round 5, Pick No. 137: TE Theo Johnson (Penn State)
The Patriots have a decent top-three at tight end now with Hunter Henry, Austin Hooper and Mitchell Wilcox in the room, but it would behoove them to target a younger player at the position to add to the mix.
Johnson, 23, spent all four seasons of his collegiate career at Penn State, receiving an invite to the 2024 Senior Bowl.
In 34 career games for the Nittany Lions, he hauled in 77 passes for 938 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Round 6, Pick No. 180: S Kitan Oladapo (Oregon State)
New England has two solid safeties in Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers, but adding a third guy into the rotation could be helpful to keep them all healthy.
Oladapo, 23, spent the last six years at Oregon State, earning Second-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2023. He was also invited to the Senior Bowl.
In 45 career games, he recorded 249 tackles (15 for a loss), 23 passes defensed, 6.5 sacks, three interceptions, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Round 6, Pick No. 193: RB Isaac Guerendo (Louisville)
Guerendo, 23, spent four seasons at Wisconsin before transferring and playing his final year at Louisville.
Over the course of his collegiate career, Guerendo appeared in 37 games, rushing for 1,392 yards and 17 touchdowns on 6.0 yards per rush. He also added another 358 yards and a score on 42 receptions.
New England had just one running back under contract beyond 2024 (Antonio Gibson), so adding a young back would be smart.
Round 7, Pick No. 231: K Will Reichard (Alabama)
The Patriots drafted Maryland's Chad Ryland last year, and he finished the season as the NFL's worst kicker. If they don't address the position in some way, it's negligent.
Reichard spent five seasons at Alabama, helping them win a national championship in 2020, earning Second-team All-American in 2020 and 2023 and Second-team All-SEC in 2022.
Reichard made 84% of his 100 field goal attempts, and he made 87% since his first season.
