Even though the New England Patriots haven’t closed the door on trading the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft, they appear to be leaning toward keeping the selection to get a quarterback.
Appearing on SportsCenter (starts at 1:25 mark), ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said the Patriots “haven’t gotten an offer yet that would wow them” to move off the third pick and are “prepared” to stay put for either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.
From @SportsCenter
*Making sense of Jayden Daniels smoke around No. 2
*Patriots’ outlook at 3
*Penix stock
*Dak prepared for anything, contract talks slow pic.twitter.com/dRJ6iRcf2Z— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 20, 2024
“They feel like they’re in a great spot. Certainly, they’re prepared to take a quarterback here. They have a high grade on Jayden Daniels if he’s available at No. 3; I think they would probably pounce on that. And Drake Maye too they’re high on. So, the feeling around the league right now is that Drake Maye would be that pick right now at No. 3. They are open for business as de facto GM Eliot Wolf said but I’m told they haven’t gotten an offer yet that would wow them or move them off that pick. They know they need a quarterback in the worst way long term, so they’ll probably stay put.”
Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf told reporters this week they are “open for business” with the No. 3 pick, but they would also “feel good” if they stay in that spot.
Daniels could be a wild card early in the draft. There has been speculation the 2023 Heisman winner isn’t keen on playing for the Washington Commanders, who own the No. 2 pick, in part because his agent wasn’t happy they brought in several players for a mass visit rather than doing traditional one-on-one visits.
If the Commanders go in a different direction, presumably by taking Maye, that would allow the Patriots to select Daniels. It also wouldn’t be a surprise if Daniels is the pick by Washington, leaving Maye for New England.
Regardless of who the player ends up being, it seems more and more likely than the Patriots’ first pick is going to be a quarterback. They have an obvious need at the position after trading Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Patriots did sign Jacoby Brissett in free agency as a potential bridge in 2024, but they need to find a long-term answer at quarterback. It makes sense to do it this year when they have a high draft pick and multiple players at the position worthy of being taken at that spot.
