It is a new era of football of the New England Patriots. Long-time head coach Bill Belichick is no longer employed by the team. In his place, Jerod Mayo, who played eight seasons at linebacker for the team, will lead the Patriots, they hope, back to consistency and Super Bowl appearances.
In order for that to happen, Eliot Wolf and the team’s front office must restock the roster with young players that can contribute immediately. With the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, they are in prime position to take at least one player who can do just that.
Will the New England Patriots Take Marvin Harrison Jr. with the 3rd Overall Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) is pursued by Michigan State Spartans defensive back Ade Willie (20) during Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game at Ohio Stadium.
While teams like the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders, who own the first two picks in the upcoming draft, are expected to take quarterbacks, the Patriots have a few different opportunities that they could pursue.
Like the Bears and Commanders, Wolf could draft the franchise’s next stud quarterback with the third overall pick. With Caleb Williams likely going to Chicago, the Patriots could pick either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, depending on who Washington takes.
Another possibility is that New England could trade down from the third overall pick and acquire even more draft capital. Such a trade could land the team numerous picks both this year and in future drafts.
Yet another scenario, one that has been mocked by fans and analysts alike for months, is that the Patriots could select Marvin Harrison Jr., the consensus top wide receiver in the class out of Ohio State. If they were to do this, one NFL analyst believes they could then trade back up into the first round and still get their next franchise quarterback.
Could the New England Patriots End Up Picking Twice in the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft?
Drafting Harrison with the third overall pick would not be a great surprise. In fact, it would give New England something they have not had since Randy Moss’ tenure with the team: a bonified number one wide receiver (at least, if he pans out the way everyone thinks he will). The problem, of course, is that New England currently does not have a long-term solution at quarterback.
While the Patriots could take a quarterback with the third overall pick, they would be passing up on a generational talent in Harrison. That being said, there are several other quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL Draft that, while not as hyped as the likes of Williams, Jayden Daniels, or Drake Maye, could end up having stellar careers.
For this reason, Gordon McGuinness of PFF believes that it would be a good idea for the Patriots to package some picks in an effort to trade back up into the first round after they take Harrison third overall:
“Instead, New England could draft wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., whose 3.44 yards per route run average in 2023 ranks second in this draft class, and then make a move back into the first round for someone like Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. Going from Pick No. 34 into the late 20s or early 30s would likely cost the Patriots a third-rounder at most, and Penix would be able to sit behind Jacoby Brissett before taking the reins, in theory with a bona fide No. 1 receiver in Harrison.”
In theory, this sounds like a great idea for New England, who could allow their quarterback of the future to sit and learn from a veteran that has experienced just about everything there is to experience in the NFL in Jacoby Brissett. They also would not miss out on Harrison by taking a quarterback that may struggle with the few receiving weapons that New England currently has.
On paper, it makes sense; but in practice, well, things are not always that easy.
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