According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, the New England Patriots could trade out of their No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Graziano mentions the possibility of targeting Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. if the Patriots decide to trade down. Penix Jr. is a left-handed quarterback, so the Patriots would need to adjust their offensive line configuration if they acquire him.
Fowler, on the other hand, suggests the Patriots might aim for JJ McCarthy of Michigan if they move back in the draft. McCarthy, like Tom Brady, is a former Michigan product, which could appeal to Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
Fowler believes the Patriots could trade back with a team looking to acquire North Carolina’s Drake Maye, then package those picks to move up and select McCarthy. However, if both Maye and McCarthy are unavailable, Graziano suggests the Patriots could be interested in Penix Jr.
Penix Jr. visited with the Patriots during the pre-draft process, and the team reportedly gathered information on the left-handed quarterback. While Graziano believes the Patriots are high on Penix Jr., he doesn’t consider him a candidate if the team stays at No. 3.
Overall, McCarthy seems like the more logical choice for the Patriots, given his experience in a pro-style offense at Michigan. However, Penix Jr. presents an intriguing wild card option, but his left-handedness would require the Patriots to reconfigure their offensive line.
