2024 NFL Draft, Day 3: Breaking down the picks in round 4 - Robinson, Baker, Milton and more to come (updated with quotes)

We're going to put all you need to know and what we know about the Patriots' Day 3 selections right here, followed by our analysis:

Pick 103: Layden Robinson, G, Texas A&M

With their first pick on day three, at #103 overall, the Patriots grabbed guard Layden Robinson, a guard out of Texas A&M. This, to me, speaks directly to health concerns with Cole Strange (torn ACL late last season) and the play of rookie interior players Sidy Sow - the best of the bunch - Atonio Mafi, and Jake Andrews.

Robinson has some serious traits - long arms, especially for a guard, and massive hands - and was a three-year starter at right guard for the Aggies before an uneven performance at the Senior Bowl.

"It was a blessing in disguise," said Robinson on getting the call from the Pats. "It couldn't have been from a better place."

Pick 110, Javon Baker, WR, UCF

Wolf's efforts to "weaponize" the offense continue with the selection of UCF wide receiver Javon Baker. The 6'1", 202-pound Baker had an explosive final season for the Golden Knights, catching 52 passes for 1,139 yards. I'm not a math major, but averaging nearly 22 yards per catch is impressive, in addition to his seven touchdowns. He also had five grabs of 50 yards or more.

Baker had more receptions (56) but just 796 yards (14.2 YPC) the year prior. That came after he transferred from Alabama, where Baker wasn't seeing the field enough to develop into the player he thought he could be.

"My mentality is to just kill whoever on the other side of me," said Baker to us via video conferencing. "Bring your popcorn. I make people in wheelchairs standup."

Baker has a previous relationship with Drake Maye. The two had some throwing sessions together. 

"Me and Drake Maye have a connection going on already," he said. "When we connect again, it's going to be a good connection."

Pick 180, Marcellas Dial, CB, South Carolina

Dial is 5'11", 190 pounds. He was a no-star recruit who went the JUCO college route before enrolling in South Carolina. After starting 29 of his 38 games with the Gamecocks, Dial played in the East-West Shrine game.

As a junior, the 23-year-old led the team in interceptions (3) and passes defensed. Dial didn't have any ball production this season but once again had the most PBUs on the squad. He also has special teams experience.

"I'm a sticky corner in coverage," Dial told us, adding, "I've been an underdog my whole life."

He ran a 4.46 40, had a 40.5" vertical leap, and a 10'9" broad jump. 

Pick 193, Joe Milton, QB/TE, Tennessee

The Pats take the biggest arm in the draft, and when I say big, I mean ridiculous. Milton can air it out 80 yards. Not that any offensive line can give you the time to do that, but his right arm got blessed by the football gods, at least when it comes to power.

The 6'5", 246-pounder was a sixth-year senior who didn't become a full-time starter until this past season. He threw for 2,813 yards and 20 touchdowns while completing 64.7% of his passes, while also rushing for 299 yards and seven more TDs (3.8 per carry).

Initially enrolled at the University of Michigan, and became the starter during the 2020 Covid-shortened season. Still, it didn't go well (56%, 4 TDs/4 INTs), and he was replaced by Cade McNamara (who J.J. McCarthy eventually replaced). 

Milton has a degree from Michigan. 

When asked about getting drafted by the Pats after they had already selected Drake Maye, Milton said, "No matter who you are, no matter where you go, you have to compete. So, that's what I'm looking forward to."

Pick 231, Jaheim Bell, TE, FSU

Bell is 6'2", 241 pounds. He had a career-best 39 catches for 503 yards in his senior season at FSU, his only year as a Seminole. He previously had been at South Carolina but was disappointed with his lack of involvement in the offense, so he hit the transfer portal.

Bell met with the Patriots after a solid showing at the Senior Bowl. He's a unique athlete at the position, with the flexibility to work as an H back. This past season, he finished third among tight ends in yards after catch.

BSJ ANALYSIS

Intel on each pick, scout/coach quotes and our thoughts on the pick

Robinson

- "Strong man," an assistant offensive line told me. "Heavy hands. He hits you, and you feel it."

- Robinson struggles mightily against stunts - he was often targeted by defensive coordinators - struggles in pass protection, and has been heavily penalized the last two seasons. 

- Robinson is a project. The pass protection issue is a concern. He's had 33 starts to refine that part of his game, but it didn't come with nearly enough consistency. He should be better, especially with that arm length. As a run blocker, however, he's a moose, and takes pride in moving humans. Feels like a depth piece with a chance to develop, but he's shown no position flexibility.

Baker

- I like the player. He's a gifted dude who needs to clean some stuff up, but I believe he's capable of that. He's seen more as a "Z" than an "X," which makes me wonder if Wolf's comments about having a guy on the backside of a 3x1 formation winning 1-on-1 was just a smoke screen to force other teams to either get ahead of them or think they could wait for Polk or Baker? Chess vs. checkers?

- A lot of times, Baker wins at the top of the route because of his athleticism. He'll need to become more of a technician because he'll be running into better, more consistent corners at this level.

- Scouts don't see Baker as a true "X" (just as they don't see Ja'Lynn Polk as that either). As Bedard will tell you, this is definitely the Packer Way in full effect. Those scouts do see a player with a ceiling that he hasn't come close to reaching, in part because of some sloppiness in route running and finishing at the catch point. 

"He's a gifted athlete who plays faster than his timed speed (4.54)," said an AFC scout. "And when he elevates, I put him in a class similar to (Xavier) Legette, minus the thickness."

Dial

- This is a good athlete with the size and speed to compete with bigger, faster receivers. 

- "He's a tough but smart kid," an NFC scout told me. "He sees and feels the receivers he's lining up against him. He's got a real good football sense about him. And I like how hard he goes after the ball when it's in the air. He wants it."

- An aggressive and willing tackler, albeit not one who always breaks down, which can lead to some whiffs. 

- Dial played some nickel and safety in 2022 before locking in as an outside cornerback in 2023. South Carolina played a mix of coverage, giving him experience in press-man and zone.

Milton

- "He's got all the physical gifts in the world but hasn't put it together," said an assistant personnel guy. "Spotty accuracy, doesn't see it well, and despite the build and speed (4.62 40, and it shows), he doesn't want to tuck and run. Don't ask me why."

- Some scouts believe Milton is a position-switch candidate and should become a tight end. I kid you not (Logan Thomas did this several years ago, and it turned out well). Has enormous hands (10 1/4"). To this point, Milton said the Pats have only talked to him about playing QB. When asked if he'd be open to a switch, said, "That'll never happen." Okay. 

- "Tough guy," said a scout. "Teammates respected him."

- Best friends/roommates with Hendon Hooker, who beat him out at Tennessee.

Bell

- "Bell's not much of a blocker, but he's willing, so I trust you can get him to be passable on that front," said an assistant coach. "Plus, you're not using him inline very much, at least not at this stage. He can help somebody as a receiver and eventually be more well-rounded." 

- Per PFF, Bell spent 44% of his snaps in the slot, 43% inline, and 3% working out of the backfield.