3 First-Round Draft Prospects That Could Fall to the Patriots at No. 34

The New England Patriots continue to be under the microscope as the 2024 NFL Draft approaches. It isn't surprising given that the Patriots hold this year's third overall selection, leaving football enthusiasts to wonder who they'll take with the pick or if they opt to trade back for a haul.

But regardless of who the Patriots will select in Round 1, that isn't their only pathway to high-end talent. After all, New England also holds pick No. 34 in the second round and the draft has a history of first-round talents slipping to Day 2.

With that in mind, here are three first-round prospects that could fall to the Patriots at No. 34 next week.

1. WR Troy Franklin, Oregon

If the Patriots wind up drafting a quarterback in Round 1, it makes sense for them to find him a high-potential weapon in the following round. That's why I'm fully on board with New England drafting Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin at No. 34.

Even with the addition of K.J. Osborn this offseason, the Patriots need a wideout with game-changing potential like Franklin. The 21-year-old playmaker is coming off an elite season with the Ducks that saw him set new career highs with 81 catches and 1,383 receiving yards while leading the Pac-12 for the second straight year with 14 touchdowns.

Franklin has all of the tools to become a WR1 in the NFL one day. He has a good combination of size (6-foot-2, 176 pounds) and speed (4.41-second 40-yard dash) with tremendous mid-air body control. His NFL Draft profile compares him to the New Orleans Saints' Chris Olave, who's begun his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard performances.

Patriots fans wouldn't complain if Franklin follows a similar trajectory.

Having solid wideouts like Osborn, Demario Douglas, and Kendrick Bourne is nice, but it's clear that the Patriots desperately need someone with Franklin's capabilities. If he's available at No. 34, it's a no-brainer: New England must draft him.