Patriots fans have clear preference for favorite 2024 draft pick

New England selected seven offensive players in the draft.

The New England Patriots’ 2024 draft class runs eight players deep, seven of which come on the offensive side of the football. That group — along with a class of UDFAs and invitees — will take the field together for the first time this week during rookie minicamp from May 10-12.

Before the action begins, Patriots fans have a clear favorite pick among the draftees. Similarly to the Pats Pulpit staff, the consensus among fans was that quarterback Drake Maye — who the team selected third overall — was fans’ favorite selection, according to SB Nation’s latest Reacts survey.

It should not come as a major surprise, as poor quarterback play led the Patriots to a 4-13 record last season to secure the No. 3 pick. With Maye, the franchise now has the makings of a potential difference maker at the position to keep them competitive for years to come.

However, it could take time for the 21-year to see the field in Foxboro as Maye enters the league with just two years of starting collegiate experience under his belt — perhaps resulting in Maye finishing fifth among the six first-round quarterbacks voted to have the easiest transition to the NFL.

In addition to Maye, New England made sure to surround him with a trio of pass catchers in the later rounds of the draft. Fourth-round pick Javon Baker, who previously knew Maye from their time committed to Alabama together, was voted the most underrated selection of the team’s entire draft.

Baker, who received 35 percent of the votes, was followed by seventh-round tight end Jaheim Bell and second-round wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk in the most underrated voting.

As Baker believes the selections will help bring the winning ways back to New England, fans tend to agree — as 90 percent of Patriots’ fans left the draft believing the team was a winner.

Check out DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sportsbook partner of SB Nation.