The Patriots were involved in trade talks throughout Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft when they ended up selecting wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk and offensive tackle Caedan Wallace.

So, what would have transpired if the Patriots had been able to trade up at the top of the second or third round? We dive into that in this week’s Patriots mailbag.

@LosTalksPats
Also, how do YOU personally feel about New England reportedly attempting to trade up for a big-body ‘X’ but ultimately having to shift to Polk?

Well, the Patriots tried to trade up from No. 34 overall, Xavier Legette and Keon Coleman went off the board to the Panthers and Bills, respectively, and then the Patriots traded back to take Ja’Lynn Polk. So, it’s pretty obvious how that situation went down.

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That being said, the Patriots do believe that Polk can move around and play “X” wide receiver. There’s also a belief that if he wasn’t on the same receiving corps as Rome Odunze that he easily could have been another team’s No. 1 option.

I think it all depends on not only how Legette, Coleman and Polk turn out but also some of the picks the Patriots took later that they would have had to deal – like Caedan Wallace, Layden Robinson and Javon Baker – turn out.

@Buzz_96d
Are the patriots still in the market for a true #1 receiver?

I think they’re always open to improving their roster. That doesn’t mean that there’s a move on the horizon, but I think they’d be interested in any way to upgrade the team if they feel like the fit is right.

@Kid_From_Quincy
What’s the O/U on UDFA making the team? #MailDoug

Based on the players they brought in, the over/under on an undrafted free agent making the team is .5. And I’d set the under at around -300.

That being said, it’s pretty easy right now to trim the roster down from 90 players to 53. So, all it takes is one or two injuries for a UDFA to make a push.

@RickLawsonEP
We kept hearing the Patriots need a WR1 but KC hasn’t had one the past two seasons and did OK. Once the team adapts to the new offense do you think they added enough weapons on offense

I do believe they’ve added enough weapons between signing Antonio Gibson, K.J. Osborn and Austin Hooper, re-signing Kendrick Bourne and Hunter Henry and drafting Polk, Baker and Jaheim Bell. Is it one of the top pass-catching groups in the NFL? No, but it has upside, and they can keep improving it over the course of Drake Maye’s rookie contract.

I also think it’s unfair to compare it to the Chiefs, since the Patriots don’t have Travis Kelce at tight end.

@JustinDavidKish
#MailDoug – Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Milton, Nathan Rourke and Bailey Zappe. Do you see Zappe staying in New England at the start of the season or do you see him being moved?

Maye and Jacoby Brissett are locks. Beyond those two, Zappe’s status is dependent upon how Milton and Rourke perform in practice.

If the Patriots believe there’s enough upside in Milton, then there’s really no reason to keep Zappe around as a fourth quarterback. But if Milton isn’t a piece the Patriots feel like they need to keep working with, then Zappe or Rourke could stick around as a third option.

@MRyan_10
With a very crowded WR room and no true number 1 do you see veterans like JuJu Reagor and Thornton being roster casualties so the rookies and grow with the rookie franchise QB

As it stands now, Polk, Baker, Bourne, Osborn and DeMario Douglas should be on the 53-man roster. That leaves one open spot for JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, Kawaan Baker and T.J. Luther.

@PatsFanHertzy
Do you think we should have gone OT round 2 and WR round 3 given the (predictable?) run on OT in round 2?

Not necessarily, because there was a run on offensive tackles in the first round. too. The Patriots like Polk more than the available offensive tackles in the top of the second round.

@eric_tuori
Hi Doug..our running back room is still lacking depth. I’m not sure Kevin Harris is the answer there and we still lack speed at the position. Comments?

I think running backs are usually pretty easy to find. I wouldn’t be too stressed about it.

@SupYep
Hi Doug. We heard rumors that the Patriots wanted to trade back into the 1st for a WR ( probably Legette). Have you heard anything, if they also wanted to move back into the end of the 2nd, when the rush for OT started? If yes, who might they’ve targeted?

The Patriots were open to trading up or down from their second- and third-round picks. I haven’t heard a specific name that they were interested in taking at the top of the third round, but I do know they’re happy with Caedan Wallace and believe that he has the athleticism to play left tackle.

@RyanBenharris
A lot of people keep calling Jerod Mayo a “Players’ coach” as it’s a sharp contrast from Belichick. Does Mayo consider himself that or even openly describe himself as that? If the players ultimately don’t produce could that perception come back to haunt him?

I’m not sure if Jerod Mayo has specifically referred to himself as a players coach, but a lot of players have said that about him. It will be a stark difference from Bill Belichick. We’ll find out in due time if that winds up being a positive or negative.