(Photo courtesy Sports Illustrated)
1994. That was the last time the patriots found themselves in the position of being in the top 5 of the NFL draft. With less than a month to go before the crown jewel of the NFL offseason, the Patriots have plenty of options when it comes to what they do with the 3rd overall pick.
As previously mentioned, the last time the Patriots had a top-5 pick was in 1994, when they used the 4th overall pick to draft USC linebacker Willie McGinest, who became a Patriots Hall of Famer. Now they find themselves in a similar position, with a deeply talented draft class and a handful of teams looking to trade up, the Patriots have a lot of avenues that they could go down, and I’m going to explain them all and give my opinion on which route Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf should pursue.
Option One: Take your franchise QB.
This year provides plenty of quarterbacks who are projected to become franchise guys. The Chicago Bears hold the first overall pick, and USC phenom Caleb Williams is a shoe in. Reigning Heisman trophy winner Jayden Daniels (LSU) is the most likely option for the Washington Commanders at 2. While it is possible Washington selects a different player, I see Daniels as the clear cut QB2 of the draft and finding a home with the Commanders. And that leaves the Patriots with 2 options at QB. North Carolina field general Drake Maye and Michigan man JJ McCarthy. Maye has been connected to the patriots for most of the offseason. And with both head coach Jerod Mayo and GM Eliot Wolf attending his pro day, it seems to me that Maye is their preferred option should he be available.
Now I’m not Mel Kiper or Dan Orlovsky, but my NFL comparison for Maye would be Buffalo Bills signal caller Josh Allen. Similar in height, has good pocket presence and can extend plays, can make off angle throws looks incredibly easy, and he isn’t afraid to take off and sacrifice his body. In this day and age of the NFL, that’s what your quarterback needs to do to succeed. And the Patriots can get their QB of the future with this pick.
Now they could take JJ McCarthy, and even as a massive fan of his, he’s not as pro ready compared to Maye. Maye checks more boxes compared to McCarthy for me, so taking your franchise guy in Drake May could be the path they decide to go down.
Option two: Skip on a QB in round 1, and take Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ohio State superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of, arguably, the best wide receiver prospect in the last decade. And he’s no doubt the best non-QB in this year’s class. With the signing of QB Jacoby Brissett in free agency, there’s a slight chance the Patriots aren’t looking for their long-term answer at QB this year (or at least in the first round). Taking Harrison would fill a hole the Pats also desperately need filled, as he would automatically be WR1 and a great target for Brissett. This would be a bit of a gamble, as the approach here would be to hope a QB Wolf and Mayo like is available in the second round (there’s been a lot of conversation and rumor surrounding South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler) or a big name QB hits free agency next year (Current Cowboys QB Dak Prescott is rumored to hit free agency next year), or you’re back in a draft position to draft a top QB next year. But by taking one of the best players in the class in Harrison you fill a need that wasn’t addressed during free agency.
Option 3: Trade down for a haul of future picks
This option is the least attractive to pats fans, but there could be a team that makes an offer Wolf simply can’t refuse. There are plenty of teams who will be looking to trade up in the draft. The Vikings and Broncos immediately come to mind, as they are both in need of a QB and are just outside the top 10, where many quarterbacks are projected to go. The Patriots can get a massive haul of picks and maybe some star players if they listen to trade offers. It would most likely require at least 2 first round picks, maybe some seconds and thirds to move up, which would give the patriots plenty of draft capital, which they can use in the trade market for a big-name player.
Now how likely is this to happen. I do think Wolf and Mayo will listen to offers, but it’s going to require a lot of compensation for the Pats to consider moving down. This is the least likely option as of right now.
So, with those in mind, what should the Patriots do?
Owner Robert Kraft has continued to be in a “win now” mode since Brady’s departure. But the moves the team has made up to this point tells me they’re doing the opposite. With the failure of Mac Jones, it’s a good time to hit the reset button. Taking your QB of the future would be the best choice for this team. Let Drake Maye sit for year, learn from Brissett, and maybe play him at the end of the season if they pats are out of playoff contention. Then he’ll be ready to go for his second season.
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