The New England Patriots hold the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, and speculation is rampant that they are eyeing a quarterback with that selection. Owning a top-3 pick gives the Patriots a prime opportunity to select one of the highly touted quarterback prospects in the draft, such as LSU’s Jayden Daniels, North Carolina’s Drake Maye, or Michigan’s J. J. McCarthy.
However, the Patriots are not solely focused on drafting a quarterback. Scouting director Eliot Wolf has indicated that the team is open to trading down if a favorable offer presents itself. Wolf stated, ‘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.’
Despite their willingness to explore trades, the Patriots are unlikely to part with their prized No. 3 pick without significant compensation. ESPN’s Mike Reiss has reported that the Patriots would require an ‘unprecedented deal’ to trade their first-round selection.
Several teams, including the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Denver Broncos, have been rumored to be interested in trading up to acquire the No. 3 pick. However, no trade has materialized to date that has met the Patriots’ expectations.
The Patriots’ pursuit of a quarterback is driven by their search for a long-term solution at the position. Despite signing veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in free agency, the Patriots recognize the need for a franchise quarterback to fill the void left by Tom Brady’s departure.
Mac Jones, the Patriots’ previous first-round quarterback selection, failed to meet expectations during his three seasons as the starter and was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars in March.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft has publicly expressed his desire for the team to draft a quarterback. In a recent interview, Kraft acknowledged that the Patriots’ lack of a top-tier quarterback may have contributed to their failure to sign wide receiver Calvin Ridley in free agency.
At the NFL league meeting last month, Kraft reiterated his stance, saying, ‘As a fan, I put my fan hat on and I definitely would [draft a quarterback]. In the end, you can’t win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach.’
The Patriots are keeping their options open regarding the No. 3 pick, but it is clear that they are prioritizing acquiring a young, talented quarterback to lead their team into the future.
