Round 1, Pick 31: DT Leonard Taylor, Miami
With the way running the ball is in Madden 24 we know a big key to defense is being able to stop both the inside and outside run. Taylor has the physical strength (93) to hold up on the interior, as well as the speed (76) to be useful against outside runs as well. Taylor will take some time to develop as a pass rusher, but has solid closing speeds on pass rush as well. Another key factor in the decision was Taylor being 21 years old, and having time to develop.
Round 2, Pick 20: EDGE Barryn Sorrell, Texas
The decline of Matthew Judon led to the Patriots needing an edge defender opposite of Keion White. Sorrell was the national championship MVP (I think). Is 21 years old so has time to develop. Is a solid run defender on the edge already, (76 block shed) as well as a diverse pass rusher (72 power move, 74 finesse move) with multiple pass rush moves in his bag.
Round 2, Pick 23: TE Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
The Patriots had a solid group of tight ends last season, but no one that could make true explosive plays. Nesbit has the speed (88) to break away from linebackers, as well as the strength (82) to stay in line and block. Nesbit may be a little raw but has the tools to be a weapon in the pass and run game. Also 21 years old
Round 2, Pick 24: QB Riley Leonard, Duke
Taking a shot on a QB with tools and age to develop was a goal of the Patriots going in to this draft, and Leonard ended up being their guy. Leonard has 87 throw power and 87 speed, as well as an ideal sense of pressure trait. The main issue with Leonard coming out of college was his slow throwing motion, and that has still been an issue in the preseason. We will see if Leonard is able to overcome his release, and potentially be the QB of the future in Foxborough,
Round 2, Pick 31: RG Walker Parks, Clemson
Adding a developmental offensive lineman was another goal for New England, and Parks was an athletic guard from Clemson. The speed to be a weapon as a pulling blocker and potentially be a 6th lineman as he develops.
Round 3, Pick 5: WR Tyrone Broden, Arkansas
A very raw but extremely athletic receiver in an offense that needed to improve its playmakers from last season. Broden is still very agile for his size, and has great straight line speed (95) . He is not a player that will be great at playing through contact, but still has the frame (6’7″) for QBs to hit him wherever he is on the field.
Round 3, Pick 17: DT Kris Jenkins, Xichigan
Another athletic defensive tackle that will be able to impact both interior and outside runs. Jenkins is 22 years old as a 4th year player in college, but adds more pass rush versatility than Leonard Taylor. Another front seven player for a group that was a point of emphasis for this fron office.
Round 3, Pick 31: HB Will Shipley, Clemson
The run game was key for the Patriots last year, but one thing they lacked was someone who could hit the home run. Shipley brings a higher level of speed (91) and still has the strength (81) to run with power that was key to Ezekiel Elliott’s success. Shipley should be the every down back for the Patriots
Round 4, Pick 31: EDGE Aaron Lewis Jr. Rutgers
Another player for this front line, Lewis has inside outside versatility with 92 strength and 80 speed. Lewis can be a rotational piece that can fill in multiple places on this line. Patriots also envisioned Lewis potentially playing off the ball in certain packages to stop the run.
Round 5, Pick 31: LG Xavier Truss, Georgia
Another developmental lineman. Truss is stronger than Walker Parks, but is also 23 years old. Truss and Parks will be in a camp battle to see who becomes the 6th offensive lineman for the team.
Round 6, Pick 4: QB Donovan Smith, Houston
Taking a chance on a mobile QB with slinger 1 was the reason behind this pick. Smith will likely not play unless he gets a dev, but no reason to not take chances on the most important position in football when you do not have a franchise guy.
Round 7, Pick 30: CB Khyree Jackson, Oregon
Looking to add another DB to this elite young room. Jackson is an older prospect at 23 years old, but has solid size at 6’3, and has elite acceleration and jumping. Jackson will likely be a player who transitions to being the Patriots 3rd safety and works in when Dugger moves to the box.
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