A pick-by-pick look at how the third day of the NFL Draft unfolded for the Patriots

The Patriots made their first and only defensive selection at No. 180 in the sixth round, picking Dial to bolster the secondary. He’ll likely start at the back end of the cornerback depth chart, but he has the potential to work his way into a more consistent role.

They then made somewhat of a surprising choice, opting for Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton with the 193rd pick. Milton, known for his arm strength, will join Day 1 selection Drake Maye on the QB depth chart.

The Patriots rounded out the day with Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell, who they selected in the seventh round with the 231st pick.

Read on to see how it unfolded and read analysis of the Patriots’ picks.

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• Round 4, Pick 103: Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M
• Round 4, Pick 110: Javon Baker, WR, UCF
• Round 6, Pick 180: Marcellas Dial, CB South Carolina
• Round 6, Pick 193: Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee
• Round 7, Pick 231: Jaheim Bell, TE, Florida State

• The Patriots took wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk at No. 37. Polk, who teamed up with first-rounders Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze in Washington, finished with with an impressive 69 catches for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Here’s the scouting report on New England’s new wideout, and here are five things to know about him.
• New England selected Caedan Wallace at No. 68. He anchored Penn State’s line at right tackle beginning in 2020. Here’s the scouting report on the offensive lineman.
• A pair of Massachusetts natives and Michigan teammates heard their names called at the NFL Draft Friday. Everett’s Mike Sainristil, a 5-foot-10-inch, 182-pound cornerback, went 50th overall to the Commanders. Zak Zinter, a 6-6, 322-pound offensive guard from North Andover, went 85th overall to the Browns. Read more here.
• The Patriots drafted quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 pick, and he was introduced on Friday at Gillette Stadium. Dan Shaughnessy weighed in on the selection of Maye, writing that it feels like an ownership selection.

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Another local off the board in the waning moments of the 2024 NFL Draft, as Holy Cross’s C.J. Hanson goes to the Chiefs at No. 248. The guard was a First-Team All-Patriot League selection in each of the last two seasons, and he will likely have to spend a year on the practice squad to build up the strength necessary to compete in the NFL.

Florida State tight end Jaheim Bell was taken with New England’s seventh-round choice, at No. 231 overall. The 6-2, 241-pounder played in 13 games thus past season, and finished with 39 catches for 503 yards and a pair of receiving touchdowns. He does have some ability to move around, as he took almost half his snaps out of the slot this past season. The Patriots lost a pair of tight ends this offseason in Mike Gesicki and Pharoah Brown, which should help him when it comes to a spot on the depth chart. But like some of the other late-round picks, his surest path to a roster spot could lie in special teams.

South Carolina football shared a video of Marcellas Dial watching the announcement that he was drafted by the Patriots. With him is his family, including his young child. Watch here:

This 6-3, 314-pounder is a powerful presence along the interior. The New Jersey native and first-team All-ACC lineman has had visits with several teams, including New England and Houston.

The 5-10, 206-pounder led FCS in all-purpose yards last season (209.5 yards per game), was No. 2 in touchdowns (18) and points per game (10.8), and third in kick-return average (31.1 yards). He had an excellent showing at the combine, one that included a top-five finish among running backs in the three-cone drill, which could quash any small-school bias against him.

One of Joe Milton’s top attributes as a quarterback is his arm strength. The best way to evaluate that? Measure how far he can throw an orange, apparently.

His performance at the combine was also a sight to behold.

Here’s the scouting report on Joe Milton, the quarterback the Patriots just took in the sixth round.

The overview: Joe Milton has the biggest arm in college football, as exhibited with a 74-yard throw at his pro day. But he’s had a rocky career that didn’t include a full season of starting until his super-senior campaign in 2023. Originally at Michigan, he transferred to Tennessee and started for two games before being beaten out by future third-round pick Hendon Hooker.

Strengths: Dynamite arm strength allows him to drive passes more than 60 yards downfield with minimal windup ... Freakish combination of size, speed and throw velocity ... Has the potential to convert to tight end if he fails to progress as a passer ... Explosive runner when he gets an opening to take off ... Won’t back down from throws even when he has to take a hit ... Flashes of touch and changing pass trajectories will give some scouts and coaches hope for his growth.

Weaknesses: Slow decision-maker who has to deliberate a while before his release ... Doesn’t always play up to his stature as a runner ... Stares down targets and gives defenders an easy look at his intentions ... Statuesque in the pocket and won’t adjust on time once pressure starts to break through ... Ball placement and overall offensive control will need years to be honed ... Limited starting experience hasn’t helped his progression.

Pro comparison: Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders

At 6-foot-6, 248 pounds and running a 4.61 40-yard dash, Thomas was a fourth-round quarterback coming out of Virginia Tech in 2014. It took two years for him to transition to tight end, but he finally hit his stride in 2020 after being largely written off as a bust. Milton’s elite arm strength and huge frame could lead to that same path as a developmental tight end, although whichever team drafts him will want to give him every chance to make it work at quarterback.

By Christopher Price

Joe Milton, taken 193rd overall, instantly becomes the most intriguing prospect of the Patriots’ draft class. To say Milton has a big arm is an understatement — go back and watch his highlights from the combine as an example. The 6-5, 235-pounder has the strongest arm of any quarterback in this draft class — Drake Maye or otherwise. However, he’s been dogged by accuracy issues. Last season with Tennessee, he started 12 games, threw for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns, but completed 65 percent of his throws and added five interceptions. (He completed just 38.6 percent of his throws beyond 10 yards in 2023, per PFF.) In the short-term, he’ll battle Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke for playing time, but if the Patriots can shape him into a consistent passer and improve his touch and accuracy when it comes to short and intermediate routes, they could really have something there. At the very least, I applaud New England for taking a big swing with a very bold choice.

He’s the first Tennessee player drafted by New England since coach Jerod Mayo.

By Christopher Price

Marcellas Dial says he met Kendrick Bourne on his visit at a hibachi restaurant.

“I didn’t know him and he didn’t know me, but we just kind of connected,” Dial said.

The meeting happened on Dial’s visit to Foxborough.

“I met him when I got done eating,” Dial said. “I was walking out. He was sitting at the bar by himself, we locked eyes, and it kind of went from there.”

By Christopher Price

The Patriots finally went defense at the start of the sixth round, taking South Carolina cornerback Marcellas Dial at No. 180. The 6-foot, 190-pounder brings size and toughness to the position, boasting 36 games played and three picks as a collegian with the Gamecocks. He’ll likely start at the back end of the cornerback depth chart with New England, and could be forced to try and make a name for himself on special teams before potentially working his way into a larger role on the defensive side of the ball.

By Nicole Yang

In an interview on NFL Network ahead of New England’s sixth-round pick, Patriots coach Jerod Mayo pushed back on the notion that the Kraft family had significant say in the No. 3 overall pick. Mayo once again cited a collaborative decision-making process, one that involves both the scouting and coaching staffs. Said Mayo, “Ownership has really given us the freedom to use our expertise.”

Mayo also acknowledged the fact that the Patriots have spent their first five picks on offensive players, saying, “We know to win games in this league you have to have a productive offense.”

Coming off a dismal offensive season, the Patriots have made a concerted effort to prioritize that side of the ball in the NFL Draft.

Their fourth-round pick, Central Florida wide receiver Javon Baker, is explosive and a major threat downfield.

Baker (6-foot-1, 208 pounds), the 110th overall selection, led the Big 12 in receiving yards (1,139) last year. Here are five things to know about Drake Maye’s newest target.

Read the full story here.

The Patriots beefed up their offensive line again with their first pick on the final day of the 2024 NFL Draft.

New England selected Texas A&M guard Layden Robinson in the fourth round with the draft’s 103rd overall pick. It’s the second straight selection the Patriots have used on an offensive lineman, after they took Penn State offensive tackle Caedan Wallace in the third round.

Robinson, a five-year player for the Aggies, played right guard in college. Michael Onwenu began the 2023 season as the Patriots’ right guard before Sidy Sow took over in the middle of the year.

Click here to read all about him.

By Christopher Price

Through the first five-plus rounds of the draft — as well as free agency — here’s an updated look at the Patriots’ wide receiver room:

JuJu Smith-Schuster: Veteran who struggled at times in his first full season in New England, he will likely be pushed by some of the new faces on the roster. His positional versatility could work in his favor.

Kendrick Bourne: Another familiar face, Bourne is working to return after a season-ending knee injury he sustained in October. A veteran with terrific energy, he’s been hailed as a positive presence ever since he re-signed in free agency.

K.J. Osborn: Well-respected vet who also offers some positional versatility, this former Viking has also drawn positive reviews since he arrived. Bonus points for having a dog named Fat Larry that has his own Instagram account.

Tyquan Thornton: Like Smith-Schuster, the youngster could be pushed by some of this year’s draft picks when it comes to playing time. Facing a key stretch in his career where he needs to display some urgency if he wants to stick around.

Jalen Reagor: Flashed positively at the end of the 2023 season, this former first-round pick also offers some special teams value as a returner. That could certainly work in his favor when you consider the numbers New England now has at the position.

Kayshon Boutte: The former LSU star, who was caught in the throes of a gambling scandal a few months ago, hardly played last season. He’s another one of the younger pass catchers who needs to have a good spring if he wants to end up sticking around.

Demario Douglas: The best receiver on the roster at the end of the season, “Pop” is looking to build on a successful first year. It’s going to be interesting to see how his snap counts might vary from week to week with what should be a new offensive scheme.

Ja’Lynn Polk: The second-round pick out of Washington is a big body with soft hands, and is more than capable of making contested catches. It’s always important to keep expectations modest for young receivers, but if all goes according to plan, the 6-2, 205-pounder could be running the same routes we saw from DeVante Parker the last couple of seasons.

Javon Baker: A home-run hitter — his 21.9 yards per catch last season at UCF was second in all of college football — who doesn’t lack for confidence, he could also be the one who handles some of Parker’s workload. The fourth-round pick already has a background with Drake Maye — the two, who both started as commits to Alabama, spent time working out together as collegians. “Me and Drake Maye got a connection going on,” he said Saturday. “Drake Maye, I think, in my opinion, is the best quarterback in this draft.”

Kawaan Baker and T.J. Luther: Two pass catchers who could be bound for the practice squad, Baker and Luther will likely end up as much-needed depth pieces for the New England offense.

After sending quarterback Zach Wilson to Denver earlier this week, the Jets made another trade with the Broncos, this time sending DE John Franklin-Myers to Denver in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Myers has started 52 games in his career, including 17 in each of the last two seasons.

Shortly after the Patriots drafted him with the 110th pick in the fourth round, wide receiver Javon Baker made his first public appearance over video call, and he had a unique message.

“Bring your popcorn. ... I make people in wheelchairs stand up,” Baker said.

He also went live on Instagram shortly after he was drafted and made a promise to the teams that passed over him in the first three rounds.

“Took too [expletive] long. ... Y’all finna pay,” Baker said on his Instagram.

Patriots picks to this point:

• 1st round: QB Drake Maye
• 2nd round: WR Ja’Lynn Polk
• 3rd round: OL Caedan Wallace
• 4th round: OL Layden Robinson
• 4th round: WR Javon Baker

Still to come:

• Sixth round: 179th overall
• Sixth round: 192nd overall
• Seventh round: 231st overall

By Christopher Price

If I’m a Patriots’ receiver coming back from 2023 — particularly if I’m at the back end of the depth chart — I’m seeing what the team is doing today and getting back in the gym as soon as possible. These picks are not made in a vacuum; they have an enormous impact on the veterans, who have to be cognizant of what this says about them and their standing on the team. One of my favorite quotes about the draft was from Mike Vrabel, who was asked if he watched the draft, even though he was a vet. “Yes, because I want to see who they’re trying to replace me with.” I’m paraphrasing here, but you get the gist. Two receivers with their first five picks means that Eliot Wolf and Jerod Mayo have put some of the returning receivers on notice. We’ll see how they respond this spring and summer.

By Christopher Price

Of course, there’s no way of knowing how each one of New England’s first five picks will handle the transition to the NFL. Between ineffective play, injury, and personnel decisions, it’s all up in the air. But at the same time, it’s clear the Patriots have identified their weaknesses, and targeted specific positions to try and address those problems. Building depth at wide receiver and along the offensive line were the sensible things to do here, given where they were at the end of the 2023 season. I know team-building is a year-round endeavor — and that there are still plenty of really intriguing free agents out there, including old pal Stephon Gilmore — but on the surface, it’s awfully hard to find fault with their draft philosophy through the first two-plus days.

The Patriots added another wide receiver on Saturday, taking Javon Baker out of Central Florida. Here’s the rundown on him, courtesy of Field Level Media.

The overview: Baker was highly recruited coming out of high school and committed to Alabama but was caught in a bit of a logjam of talent. He made his way to UCF in 2022, and his career took off. Baker was the No. 2 receiver for the Golden Knights that year, earning All-AAC honors before the school moved to the Big 12. The level of competition did not slow him down; he surpassed 1,100 yards and garnered all-conference first-team honors.

Strengths: Huge effort player who gets physical at all aspects of the game ... Likes to fight through routes ... Seems to enjoy the contested catch and often wins the battles ... Shows flashes of great adjustability and body control ... Able to track the ball well and knows where he needs to position his hands in order to make the reception ... Long arms allow him to make the jump ball easier and give some leeway to the quarterback in terms of ball placement ... Plays bigger than he is.

Weaknesses: Limited long speed is going to diminish his upside as it seems like he has a hard time separating initially ... Does not seem particularly agile or shifty, more of a straight-line runner who does not have a lot of wiggle to get defenders off of him in pursuit ... Would have benefited from a more diverse route tree at UCF ... Gets himself into trouble embracing contact.

Player Comparison: Marquez Callaway, Pittsburgh Steelers

Callaway and Baker both fit the role of hard-working players who can adjust to the ball well and create on their own, but a lack of separation and smaller route tree will push Baker further down the board than his potential implies. Callaway found himself in a starting role for a few seasons with the Saints but didn’t catch a pass in 2023. The potential is there for Baker.

By Christopher Price

Javon Baker is a 6-1, 202-pound receiver out of the University of Central Florida with speed to burn. Baker, who started at Alabama but transferred to UCF, had a team-high 52 catches for 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns last season. (His 21.9 yards per catch was second in the nation.) His speed and big-play ability are a sizable asset when you stack him against the rest of the New England receivers, and while there are other options in the slot for the Patriots, Baker appears to be strictly an outside threat who can go the distance. Probably not a No. 1 receiver, but the sort of complementary pass-catcher who can serve as a home-run hitter in the Patriots’ offense.

Here’s the rundown on the Texas A&M guard the Patriots drafted, from Field Level Media.

The overview: An Aggie who made an appearance on the All-SEC second team in 2021, Robinson has been a mainstay at right guard since his sophomore season. The line as a unit has helped create high-quality rushing attacks from running backs like Dolphins star De’Von Achane, and Robinson has been the most impressive member for a few years.

Strengths: Great upper-body strength ... Holds defensive linemen in place and shocks with his punch ... Stout frame ... Well-built upper- and lower-body that absorbs power moves well ... Able to hold an anchor well and doesn’t get moved from the spot ... Hands are placed well, usually hitting the chest and allowing him to generate good leverage.

Weaknesses: Sluggish feet ... Doesn’t have much positional versatility because of short arms and a lack of center experience ... Falters against high-end athleticism and can lose balance attempting to take on guys who are willing to juke around him ... Lateral movement is fine, but not high-end.

Pro comparison: Nate Davis, Chicago Bears

Coming out of Charlotte, Davis was praised for his frame and high-level strength that allowed him to become a Day-2 selection in the draft. However, both Robinson and Davis share agility concerns that, for Davis, manifested themselves at the Combine, putting in mediocre numbers. Davis has maintained a starting job throughout his career.

By Christopher Price

Layden Robinson provides another layer of protection for New England’s offense; according to Pro Football Focus, he allowed one sack in 401 pass block snaps in 2023. A 6-3, 302-pounder, he started 33 games at right guard the last three years for Texas A&M. The Patriots best rookie lineman last year was Sidy Sow, who settled in nicely at right guard as the year went on. If New England keeps Robinson at the right guard spot, this could end up being an underrated positional battle this summer.

Here are players with local connections to watch today, courtesy of Christopher Price.

OL Christian Mahogany, Boston College: This 6-3, 314-pounder is a powerful presence along the interior. A Day 2 possibility, the New Jersey native and first-team All-ACC lineman has had visits with several teams, including New England and Houston.

Mahogany hopes to join a line of BC offensive linemen (such as Dan Koppen, Damien Woody, Anthony Castonzo, and Tom Nalen) to make the leap to the NFL.

“Boston College, because of that lineage, those people, for me and hopefully those people after me, that’s why I went to BC,” Mahogany said.

OL Kyle Hergel, Boston College: Another strong and sturdy interior presence, the 6-3, 302-pounder from Canada was second-team All-ACC last year. He also spent time at the University of North Dakota and Texas State, and put the wraps on his college career with 55 straight starts at guard while practicing at center.

DE Eric Watts, Connecticut: This 6-6, 274-pounder, who had seven sacks in 2022, likely projects as a pass-rush specialist, at least in the early stages of his NFL career. He was certainly impressive at the combine, landing in the top 10 among defensive ends in the three-cone, vertical, and broad jump.

WR Jalen Coker, Holy Cross: Coker has speed to burn; his 4.57 40 at the combine was faster than Florida State’s heralded receiver Keon Coleman. Toss in the fact that the 6-1, 208-pounder led FCS in touchdown catches last season with 15, and it should be enough to find him a spot somewhere on an NFL roster, either as a late-round pick or an undrafted free agent.

Holy Cross teammate C.J. Hanson, who started all 11 games last year at right guard, could be in the mix as a possible draft pick as well.

RB Dylan Laube, New Hampshire: The 5-10, 206-pounder led FCS in all-purpose yards last season (209.5 yards per game), was No. 2 in touchdowns (18) and points per game (10.8), and third in kick-return average (31.1 yards). He had an excellent showing at the combine, one that included a top-five finish among running backs in the three-cone drill, which could quash any small-school bias against him.

A Westhampton, N.Y., native, he says he would welcome the chance to stay in New England and play for the Patriots.

“That would be awesome. To be honest, that’s been my home the past decade. So that would be pretty cool,” said Laube. “One of their scouts, Matt Evans, actually went to UNH. So we’ve always talked a bunch, and connected with him a bunch.”

DB Jarrett Martin, Rhode Island: This 6-3, 220-pounder out of Franklin has split time between linebacker and safety, but likely projects as a defensive back at the next level. He was one of several local prospects invited to a Pro Day at Gillette Stadium, a group that included Hergel and Coker.

By Christopher Price

A few possibilities for the Patriots on Day 3? Glad you asked.

Wide receiver Tez Walker: Drake Maye’s college teammate could help ease the acclimation process for New England’s newest quarterback. Walker is a 6-2, 193-pounder who had 41 catches for 699 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Wide receiver Brenden Rice: So you couldn’t get Marvin Harrison Jr.? Could I interest you in the son of another NFL legend who caught 45 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns last season with USC?

Wide receiver Troy Franklin: The 6-2, 176-pounder had an impressive 2023, finishing with 81 catches for 1,383 yards (a whopping 17.1 yards per catch) and 14 touchdowns.

Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang. Emma can be reached at emma.healy@globe.com or on X @_EmmaHealy_. Katie McInerney can be reached at katie.mcinerney@globe.com. Follow her @k8tmac.