Patriots 2024 NFL Draft odds: A frustrating loss to Commanders doesn’t help

For all the misery Patriots fans are currently trudging through during the 2023 season, some of that pain could be alleviated if New England lands a franchise-changing talent in next spring’s 2024 NFL Draft.

At 2-7, the Patriots currently sit at the bottom of the AFC standings ahead of what is expected to be a loaded draft class – especially on the offensive side of the ball.

But if the Patriots want to be realistic players for a prized QB talent like Caleb Williams or Drake Maye — or perhaps the most complete wide receiver prospect in recent memory in Marvin Harrison Jr. – New England will need some NFC cellar dwellers. to start piling up some wins.

Even with their ugly 20-17 loss to a tanking Washington Commanders team, looking to the future, New England hasn’t moved up in the draft standings.

Here is the updated 2024 NFL Draft order, from Monday evening.

1. Arizona Cardinals (1-7)

2. Chicago Bears (via 1-7 Carolina Panthers)

3. Chicago Bears (2-7)

4. New York Giants (2-7)

5. New England Patriots (2-7)

6. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

7. Green Bay Packers (3-5)

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)

9. Denver Broncos (3-5)

10. Tennessee Titans (3-5)

The only potential change to this top-10 lineup on Monday Night Football would be if the 3-4 Chargers fall to the New York Jets. Another loss would see the Chargers leapfrog the Titans for the No. 10 overall spot.

If New England finishes in the top five, it could give them an excellent prospect for the future. But given the QB woes currently with the Cardinals, Bears and Giants, it appears top signal callers in Williams and Maye will be off the board with pick No. 5.

And with Chicago also holding the 1-7 Panthers pick, it wouldn’t be much of a surprise if the Bears opt to pair their next QB1 with an elite pass-catching threat like Harrison Jr.

Granted, New England should still be in position to acquire an impact player on offense with the No. 5 pick, whether it’s a left tackle like Penn State’s Olu Fashanu or Notre Dame’s Joe Alt, a QB like Oregon’s Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. ., or a wideout like Keon Coleman from Florida State.