Patriots 7-round Mock Draft 1.0: Drake Maye selected No. 3, jumpstarts post-Belichick era in Foxborough
The New England Patriots begin a new era with Jerod Mayo as head coach. While the team continues to fill out their coaching staff, we look at what the team should do in the draft starting with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
With a ton of talent at the top of the draft, the Patriots are guaranteed to select a franchise-changing player. With a glaring need at the quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle position, Jerod Mayo and his staff will have some tough decisions to make in this draft, mainly on the offensive side of the ball.
So, in this 7-round mock draft, we address those needs with players who should be able to come in and contribute right away.
New England Patriots get their franchise quarterback in Drake Maye
The New England Patriots will have an interesting decision to make with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. But they will decide to go with Drake Maye out of the University of North Carolina.
With Caleb Williams expected to go No. 1 overall, there will be debate on whether the Patriots should select Maye or LSU’s Jayden Daniels, but with what the Patriots need out of the quarterback position immediately, Maye presents as the more NFL ready because of his ability to make NFL type throws. He also has the size and mobility to extend plays and maneuver outside the pocket.
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While some may view Daniels as the more athletic, Maye is a quarterback who can start Day 1 depending on the line and what playmakers the Patriots put around him. With what the Patriots offense went through in 2023 with both Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, Maye will be a breath of fresh air at the quarterback position. Here is what Bleacher Report had to say about Maye:
“Maye's arm talent is the core of his game. He can throw a 100 mph fastball into a tight window over the middle or outside the numbers. Maye can also throttle down and put throws where only his receiver can go get it, as well as creating smooth yards-after-the-catch transitions for his receivers on underneath routes. He possesses every club in the bag.”
There will be a lot of debate about this pick, but the Patriots can’t go wrong in whoever they select at No. 3.