The New England Patriots are expected to move on from last year’s starting quarterback Mac Jones. But despite being armed with the No. 3 overall pick, the team appears to be open to filling their QB-shaped hole a different way.
The Patriots appeared to be in position to land one of the covered top-2 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, which would have meant either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. A couple of late-season victories dropped New England to third, which made their plans less straightforward.
Could the New England Patriots Trade Down From Their No. 1 Pick?
Reports have now emerged pegging the Patriots as potential deal-makers leading up to April’s draft. Despite some other QB options at the No. 3 slot, the team may be inclined to fill their QB void in other ways.
The Patriots are believed by some insiders around the league to be open to signing a veteran QB in free agency, according to a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Such a move would allow New England to trade back for additional assets to bolster their roster in other areas. (H/T Bleacher Report)
The Patriots also need a quarterback, but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft and addressing the quarterback position in free agency.
Graziano added that the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings could be teams to watch that may make an offer to move up to the Patriots’ No. 3. The Falcons’ Desmond Ridder experiment fell flat last season. Atlanta could offer their No. 8 pick and additional assets to secure a move up.
The Vikings, meanwhile, may look to move on from Kirk Cousins and try to form an LSU partnership between QB prospect Jayden Daniels and standout LSU product Justin Jefferson.
Several Veteran Options For the New England Patriots Could Be an Upgrade Over Mac Jones
Cousins could actually be one of those free agent QB targets for the Patriots, assuming he can make a full recovery from his Achilles injury. Other names such as Baker Mayfield may appeal to the team as well if they do trade down from their top-3 perch or select a different position.
Either option would likely prove to be an upgrade over Jones, whose play largely fell off a cliff in his third season with the Patriots. After a rookie year that saw Jones garner a Pro Bowl nod and a runner-up finish for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jones’ production has steadily declined with each passing season.
In 11 games played this season, Jones threw for 2,120 yards with more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (10). He was eventually benched by the Patriots in favor of backup Bailey Zappe.