The 2024 NFL Draft boasts a wealth of talent across all positions, presenting a challenge for teams with early picks, including the New England Patriots. Jerod Mayo faces decisions between players like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Rome Odunze, and Byron Murphy II. Meanwhile, Rob Gronkowski has a specific Ohio State football wide receiver in mind—Marvin Harrison Jr. The legendary tight end is confident in Harrison’s abilities and believes he could make an immediate impact for the Patriots.
Discussing the importance of the Patriots’ draft pick, Gronkowski emphasizes the team’s need to make a well-calculated choice, considering it’s their highest pick since selecting Drew Bledsoe in the 1993 draft.
While Mayo may be considering quarterbacks to potentially replace Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe in the future, Gronkowski is adamant that Harrison Jr., a wide receiver, is a surefire pick who won’t be a bust. Gronkowski praises Harrison Jr.’s explosiveness on the field and expresses confidence in his ability to contribute significantly from the beginning.
Highlighting a personal connection, Gronkowski notes that Harrison Jr.’s father attended Syracuse, and he himself was a Syracuse fan growing up, creating a unique bond.
At the conclusion of the season, Harrison Jr. showcased his skills with 67 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, and an impressive 14 touchdowns, demonstrating his effectiveness near the end zone. His performance at the scrimmage included 15 touchdowns and 1,237 yards on 69 plays, with an average gain of 17.9 yards. Gronkowski believes that the Patriots can rely on Harrison Jr. to make impactful plays when driving the ball down the field.