NFL Rumors: Patriots 'Heavily Leaning' Toward QB with No. 3 Pick; Explored FA Options | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
The New England Patriots' main decision-makers are reportedly keen on selecting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, there is a "strong sense" that the Pats are "heavily leaning" toward taking a quarterback near the top of the draft.
Howe and Chad Graff of The Athletic added that the Patriots "really want" a quarterback at No. 3 and most within the organization seem to be "on the same page" regarding the idea of finding a new franchise player at the position.
Should the Patriots move forward with that plan, they will likely land whoever is remaining at No. 3 between USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels, although Michigan's J.J. McCarthy and possibly even Oregon's Bo Nix could be a consideration as well.
Per MassLive.com's Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels and Chris Mason, multiple sources have indicated that the Patriots intend to use the No. 3 overall pick on a quarterback, sign a veteran and it's "still expected" Mac Jones will be traded at some point this offseason.
New England has reportedly held pre-free-agency meetings and explored some of the free-agent quarterback options available, including Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield, Ryan Tannehill, Joe Flacco and Jacoby Brissett.
However, the likely price tag and concerns about whether those veteran quarterbacks would be able to perform at a high level in New England reportedly led the Pats to the conclusion that grabbing a young franchise quarterback in the draft is the way to go.
From 2001 through 2019, the Patriots enjoyed an unprecedented run of success, missing the playoffs only twice during that stretch and winning six Super Bowls.
Head coach Bill Belichick played a significant role in the dominance, but quarterback Tom Brady was perhaps the greatest contributor.
Brady is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, and he solidified that claim by leaving New England after the 2019 season, signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and winning his seventh career Super Bowl in his first season with the Bucs.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have been a shell of their former selves since Brady's departure, missing the playoffs in three of the past four seasons and failing to win the AFC East during that time.
New England tried out veteran Cam Newton as the starter for one season, but after going 7-9 and missing the playoffs, they moved on and selected Jones with the No. 15 pick in the 2021 draft.
Early returns on Jones were good, as he was named to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season and the Pats reached the playoffs with a 10-7 record, but his play declined sharply over the ensuing two seasons.
Jones hit rock bottom in 2023, going just 2-9 as a starter and completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 2,120 yards, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
The Patriots went 4-13 as a team, leading to Belichick and the Pats agreeing to part ways. Belichick has since been replaced by Jerod Mayo, and the Patriots are entering a new era.
Because of that, it seems like the perfect time to start over at quarterback, and the 2024 draft may prove to be their best opportunity to nab an elite talent at that spot.
Assuming Williams goes first overall to the Chicago Bears, it seems likely that the Patriots will end up with whoever the Washington Commanders pass on between Maye and Daniels.
Maye and Daniels are very different quarterbacks, as Maye has prototypical size at 6'4" and 230 pounds and has a strong arm, whereas Daniels is slighter at 210 pounds and is more of a dual threat.
The Patriots were severely lacking in terms of offensive weapons last season, so either player would have their work cut out for them as a rookie if New England doesn't land some playmakers in free agency and via the draft, but they would bring hope to a team that looked lost and uninspired throughout the 2023 campaign.
