2024 NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots full 7-round projection in early February

After a disappointing couple of seasons going 12-22, the winds of change ripped through Foxborough, MA like a category-five tornado. The greatest coach in the history of football was let go and replaced with a rookie coach that he drafted as a player. The team's offensive coordinator would rather call plays in college than for the New England Patriots, so he left town for Ohio State.

The 2024 NFL Draft presents an opportunity for a new start. There are still some questions that need to be answered for the most accurate draft. For starters, Jerod Mayo has said the team plans to burn money in the offseason. They have $67.5 million in cap space right now and could increase that number to $92.5 million by releasing JC Jackson, Lawrence Guy, and Davon Godchaux.

Both their starting tight ends are free agents, as well as their starting safety (Kyle Dugger), starting edge rusher (Josh Uche), and starting guard (Michael Onwenu). How much of that money burning will be used to retain current players, and how much will be used on incoming free agents is unknown. There is also no way to predict what free agents will be targeted, so this draft will try to fill holes that exist now, but may not be there in April.

Like all my previous mock drafts, there will be no trades, and the Patriots will pick where they are they are scheduled, according to Pro Football Focus, at No. 3, 34, 68, 103, 139, 182, 224, and 232.