Grading The 2024 New England Patriots Draft
By Ryan Bunton
8. Seventh Round (231st Overall): Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State
A position that many thought the Patriots would address earlier in the draft, New England waited until the seventh round to select a tight end - Jaheim Bell out of Florida State.
Grade: B-
Bell began his collegiate career at South Carolina, where he played the first three seasons of his career before transferring to FSU for his senior season. In 2023, Bell caught 39 passes for 503 yards and 2 touchdowns.
At 6'3", 239 pounds. Bell isn't your traditional tight end and is pretty one-dimensional. He has a smaller TE frame and won't line up consistently at the end of the line of scrimmage and will likely be forced to flex out in most formations. Heck, he had 73 carries in 2022. New England could even be looking to use him as a fullback (Kyle Juszczyk-esque?).
With Bleacher Report's Scouting Department stressing that he "cannot be a Y in the NFL" and defining him as a "very poor blocker", either New England is comfortable using him in a more athletic, versatile role, or they believe that with the right coaching and development he can transform into a traditional tight end.
The Patriots re-signed veteran Hunter Henry to a three-year extension and brought in another veteran in Austin Hooper. They signed Mitchell Wilcox last week as well, so perhaps New England's brass feels that they have the depth to take a chance on a project in the seventh round.
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