The Patriots currently sit at the bottom of the AFC, and if their struggles continue, the organization will be picking towards the top of next year’s draft. So, it probably isn’t much of a coincidence that the Patriots have scouted some of the top quarterback prospects.
During an appearance on NBC Sports Boston, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed that the Patriots have sent personnel to games for “every one of the top quarterbacks except Caleb Williams.”
“I can tell you guys for a fact the Patriots have had live game exposure — and remember, you have to make decisions on where you go with your scouts — they’ve had live game exposure to every one of the top quarterbacks except Caleb Williams,” Breer said (via NBCSportsBoston.com). “I’m sure they’ll get to Caleb soon. So they are taking a very hard look at these guys.”
Williams is the prize of the draft class but would require the first-overall pick. If New England doesn’t finish with the worst record in the NFL (and fails to work out a trade for the selection), they could pivot to North Carolina’s Drake Maye, who is also expected to hear his name at the beginning of the draft. Washington quarterback and Heisman-Trophy favorite Michael Penix Jr. is also a projected first-round pick, as is Oregon’s Bo Nix.
Thanks to Tom Brady, the Patriots went decades without selecting a quarterback in the first round. Mac Jones was the 15th-overall pick in the 2021 draft, making him the first Round 1 QB to be selected by the organization since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. Following a one-year stint with Cam Newton under center, the Patriots handed Jones the reins during his rookie campaign. The Alabama product looked like a hit, earning a Pro Bowl nod while also guiding his team to the playoffs.
However, his 2022 seasons was mired by benchings and a questionable offensive coaching staff led by Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. The Patriots brought in Bill O’Brien to help fix the offense, but the third-year quarterback has continued to struggle. Jones has tossed nine touchdowns vs. a league-leading eight interceptions while playing a major role in the Patriots’ 2-6 record.
Jones still has at least a year remaining on his rookie contract (depending on the fifth-year-option decision during the offseason), so the Patriots aren’t in a rush to replace him. However, Jones also hasn’t shown enough to stop the front office from using a top-five pick at the position during the 2024 draft.
They should scout Jim Harbaugh. He seems equally good at cheating as Bill is.
Trade him. Today. 3rd round draft pick
Get Maye or Nix around pick 10-18
Maye will go top 5.
Depends on the teams in top 5 that don’t need a QB. For example Cardinals or panthers could be 4 and 5
Neither will be there in that range
Nix might be. For all of his experience, he still makes a lot of “force it” plays that leave you scratching your head.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter who they pick if they don’t fix that offensive line. None of these guys are going to do any better than Jones if the offensive talent doesn’t improve.
They gonna trade for the #1 pick and draft Williams
I beg at least 3 go bust.
I would say trade Mac to the Raiders but McD may be out in Vegas before the deadline.
I like the #3 pick and Hunter Renfroe for Mac.
Believe “scouted best QB prospects” still means Belichek makes the personnel calls. So no matter who they take in any round … it will B the wrong choice n end poorly. Greatest HC ever can’t draft or put team together worth a turd. Think game has passed em by. Sun don’t shine on same dogs ass all the time.
Caleb Williams is not worth the Top pick in the Draft. If NE somehow has that pick,,, Marvin Harrison JR. should be the pick.