The New England Patriots have plenty of potential playmakers they could select in the NFL Draft. Which of these future stars are the hidden gems?
Starting off the list with LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who isn’t exactly hidden seeing as he will be selected in the first round. The reason he could be considered a hidden gem is because of the large number of great receivers in the 2024 Draft. With a top three of Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, fans could see Thomas Jr., fall into the back half of the first round. This means one team will get an absolute steal of a pick. In many Drafts before this one, the LSU standout could’ve been the first receiver off the board. His talent, athleticism, and speed provide all the tools he needs to succeed at the highest level.
One of the biggest steals of the entire draft could be Washington wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Polk is everything you could want in a football player. He is tough, hardworking, and loves to compete. Watching Polk’s film at Washington is incredibly fun. He continuously makes big plays and takes big hits, getting up after each snap and letting the defense know who’s in charge. If the Patriots want to build a tough, winning culture, Polk should be a priority for them on day two.
The list goes on and on with these potential Patriots receivers. Next up is national champion from Michigan Roman Wilson. Wilson is a spectacular athlete who can separate from any cornerback that dares to guard him. Wilson is a great playmaker and with his shifty route running, he can be a matchup nightmare. Getting the ball into his hands is a very smart move because at any moment, he could take it all the way to the end zone. Wilson is another dynamic prospect that could fall into the third round which would be great value for New England. NFL fans next year could see Wilson develop into one of the league’s top pass catchers for 2024 and beyond.
The biggest hidden gem of all is a receiver from Western Kentucky, Malachi Corley. Corley is another incredibly talented athlete. At five-foot-eleven, two hundred and ten pounds, he is built like an NFL running back. His production comes after the catch and when the ball is already in his hands. He is very hard to tackle, and many media personalities have compared him to Deebo Samuel. Samuel is one of the league’s top weapons and if Corley becomes anything like him, he will be one of the biggest steals of the draft.
How much of an impact could these potential Patriots have in 2024?
All of these receivers could have a huge impact on whatever team they go to, but in New England, fans could expect an even larger impact. If the Patriots select one of these future stars, they could be immediately thrown into games. With an average receiving group in Foxborough, these rookies may be asked to contribute as soon as week one of the NFL season rolls around. Players like Ja’lynn Polk could be very important in the success of the team. Polk’s mentality is exactly what is so desperately needed on the roster. A player who knows how good he is, can back it up, and rebuild a winning culture in Foxborough.
