Patriots Reach on WR to Pair With Drake Maye in Mel Kiper's Latest Mock Draft

The 2024 NFL Draft is only two weeks away and who the New England Patriots will select remains an open question. It is all but guaranteed that the Pats will try to find their next franchise quarterback with their third-overall pick but what they do with the rest of the draft is anyone's guess.

In his latest mock draft for ESPN (subscription required), Mel Kiper has his own ideas. The draft expert predicts that the Patriots not only find their signal-caller of the future in the first round but also pair him with a wide receiver with their next pick.

According to Kiper, the Patriots will be so laser-focused on a receiver that they are likely to reach for one with their 34th overall pick.

Mel Kiper Mock Draft: Patriots Find Their QB & WR pairing For the Future

Coleman is a prototypical, modern wide receiver out of Florida State. He has an excellent frame, athleticism, and speed, making him tough to track and tackle. He is coming off a very productive season at Florida State, catching 50 passes for 658 yards, and adding 11 touchdowns in 12 games for one of the best teams in the country.

Having not even turned 21 yet, Coleman is one of the younger prospects in the draft, further increasing his upside.

However, he is considered a raw prospect at this point. His route-running, run-blocking, and long speed have been highlighted by some as potential concerns in his player profile. For these reasons, he is generally mocked as a mid-to-late second-rounder. In fact, he is currently the 11th-best wide receiver in the draft class on PFF and the 55th-ranked player on their big board.

Therefore, the Patriots reaching for him at 34 is a big reach. If they have their eyes on him as Kiper predicts, it may make sense for them to trade down and acquire more assets in the process.

On FanDuel Sportsbook, the third overall pick is projected to be Drake Maye (+100), followed by Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy. Head over to FanDuel now to get in on the action and don't forget to claim your sign-up bonus of $200 after your first winning wager.

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