The New England Patriots are facing a pivotal NFL draft this year as they aim to rebuild their team after a disappointing 4-13 season. With the third overall pick, the Patriots have a prime opportunity to address their most pressing need: a franchise quarterback.
Quarterback Mac Jones struggled in his third NFL season, leading to his trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Patriots have been vocal about their need for an upgrade at the position, and they are expected to select one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft.
According to ESPN NFL draft analyst Field Yates, there are three quarterbacks who are worthy of being top-three picks: Caleb Williams from the University of Southern California, Jayden Daniels from Louisiana State University, and Drake Maye from the University of North Carolina. Yates believes the Patriots would be best served if Daniels, the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, falls to them at No. 3.
“He was the best player in college football last year; such an elite dual-threat player,” Yates said of Daniels. “He changes the way not just that you can play offense, but the way in which opponents have to play defense because of that rushing ability on top of the pristine passing ability.”
In addition to quarterback, the Patriots are also in need of a wide receiver and an offensive tackle. The top prospects at these positions, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Joe Alt, are likely to be off the board by the time the Patriots pick again at No. 34. However, there are still some talented players available at these positions later in the draft.
The Patriots have a history of drafting for value, but Yates believes this year they should prioritize need. He suggests they target Xavier Legette, a wide receiver from the University of South Carolina, or Jordan Morgan, an offensive tackle from the University of Arizona, in the second round.
While the Patriots’ head coach, Jerod Mayo, has a defensive background, Yates expects the team to focus on offense early in the draft. He believes the Patriots could select four offensive players with their first four picks.
“Hasn’t it been clear all offseason they’ve talked about the need for a quarterback and the need to weaponize the offense?” Yates said. “So I am going to lean towards the Patriots going offense, offense and more offense early. It wouldn’t surprise me if their first four picks were all offensive players.”
The Patriots have a long history of finding diamonds in the rough in the late rounds of the draft. Last year, they drafted wide receiver Demario “Pop” Douglas with the 210th overall pick. Douglas played in 14 games with seven starts as a rookie and finished with 49 catches for a team-leading 561 yards.
Yates believes wide receiver is a position to watch in the late rounds of this year’s draft. He mentions Luke McCaffrey from Rice and Malik Washington from Virginia as potential steals.
“You’ve got guys like Luke McCaffrey from Rice and Malik Washington from Virginia, guys who could be fourth- or fifth-round picks, sixth-round picks maybe. That’s the position more than any other you’re going to find some value in this year’s draft class,” Yates said.
“They’re simply going to drop because of the supply and demand issue, but there could be a diamond in the rough on Day 3 for the Patriots.”
