The New England Patriots, with the No. 3 overall pick in the bag for the 2024 NFL Draft, are speculated to be considering a quarterback pick, unless an unbeatable trade offer comes their way for the choice.
Owning a top-3 selection, the Pats can potentially choose from LSU's Jayden Daniels, North Carolina's Drake Maye or Michigan's J. J. McCarthy. Despite a handsome array of potential picks, scouting director Eliot Wolf declared that his side could negotiate a trade down with another team hungry for a quarterback.
Last week he was quoted saying: "We're open to anything, [both] moving up, moving down. We're open for business in the first round and in every round. We have some holes we feel like we need to fill in the draft, and we're a draft-and-develop team."
In addition, Wolf added: "The more picks we have, the better. But if there's an opportunity to move up and strike if the board kind of recommends it, then we won't be afraid to pull the trigger on that either."
However, it would be wishful thinking to believe they would easily turn over their prized No. 3 pick; the Patriots seem ready to hear offers but won't necessarily let go at a low price. In fact, ESPN's Mike Reiss asserted that offloading their first-round option would require an "unprecedented deal".
The New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos are among the teams rumoured to be eyeing a move up the draft ladder, but so far, no trade has caught the Patriots' fancy. The New England team is still seemingly set on picking a quarterback, with a source last week claiming: "You can't win without a quarterback."
Even after snapping up seasoned quarterback Jacoby Brissett in free agency, the Patriots are on the hunt for a franchise quarterback to potentially fill the boots of the iconic Tom Brady. Mac Jones, a former first-round pick, didn't cut it during his three-year stint as starter and was shipped off to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft is well aware of the team's less-than-ideal QB situation. In a chat about why the Patriots missed out on top wideout Calvin Ridley during free agency, the 82 year old Kraft pointed out several factors before admitting: "Part of it might be the quarterback situation as well."
Kraft has not shied away from voicing his wish for the Patriots to secure a quarterback in the upcoming draft, telling journalists at the NFL league meeting last month: "As a fan, I put my fan hat on and I definitely would," according to NFL.com. "In the end, you can't win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach."
"We're gonna be open to whatever can come our way," he continued. "In the end, I'll let the team make the decision what they think is best. One way or another, I'd like to see us get a top-rate, young quarterback."
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story.