The New England Patriots are reportedly open for business when it comes to the No. 3 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft even if they may be more likely to keep the selection and use it themselves.
“I think that New England is going to listen, and if the right offer comes the way of the Patriots, I think that they could be enticed into trading out,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. “Do I think they’ll ultimately stay and make the pick at three? My guess would be yes.”
Staying at No. 3 would allow the Patriots the opportunity to select one of the top quarterbacks in the draft.
Even if the Chicago Bears take Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall, New England could have the chance to draft Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy depending on what the Washington Commanders do at No. 2.
B/R’s NFL Scouting Department projected the Patriots to take Daniels in a mock draft earlier this month.
The AFC East team cycled through Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe at quarterback last season, which is quite the dropoff from when Tom Brady was leading the franchise to Super Bowl titles. It likely needs a new quarterback moving forward if it is going to make up ground on the Buffalo Bills and others in the division, and this draft could be the opportunity to address the position.
Still, none of those prospects are surefire stars, so it makes some sense for the Patriots’ front office to listen to offers.
If a team blows it away with a significant trade package, it could look to move down and address multiple positions with more picks. Quarterback isn’t the only area of need for a team that went 4-13 last season, so accumulating picks isn’t a poor strategy.
But it seems like things are at least trending toward the Patriots using the No. 3 choice.
