Trade: National Trade No. 46, No. 107 and No. 184 to Rams No. 36
Round 32 overall: TE Darnell Washington, Georgia
The subject of this mock draft is taking every possible avenue for an offensive promotion. New England has made small steps forward in free agency, but it’s not enough to move the needle in a department where they’ll need to outpace Miami Arsenal’s Josh Allen and potentially Aaron Rodgers. If the Pats hope to compete in the AFC East region, they need to invest significant resources to improve their quarterback support squad, Mack Jones.
New England drafted Rob Gronkowski, Daniel Graham, and Ben Watson with top 50 picks once, and Washington’s athletic, Space-like appearance looks like an antique Belichick. The beauty of this pick is that it also gives the Patriots size in the passing game after the smaller Flowers pick on day one, while Washington is instantly the best line blocker on the roster. The Georgia product also has excellent body control, a massive hunting radius, and is a handful to take down after catch. With Hunter Henry on a contract year and Mike Gesicki, who’s more of a receiver than a tight end, signed to a one-year contract, Washington is stepping in as a tight seal while improving his game as a receiver to boot at that point in 2024.
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