The New England Patriots have secured the third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which carries a great deal of power and excitement, as a result of their 2023 season-long problems.
Given the talent in this year’s class at quarterback, many believe the Patriots will select a potential franchise quarterback with their highest pick since 1993.
Although quarterback is clearly a focus for the team heading into the draft, it’s not a given that New England will select him with their first pick. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo told NFL Network’s Steve Wyche on Sunday at the Annual League Meeting that it wouldn’t be wise to make bold predictions this early.
According to Mayo, “it’s the priority right now.” “Having said that, though, to choose a person at number three, you have to be truly in love with him. Therefore, we truly still have all of our choices open.”
Since Tom Brady left the Patriots in 2020, the position of quarterback has generally remained uncertain, and stability is needed. However, Mayo thinks that there are more ways for them to succeed at quarterback than selecting a QB with the No. 3 pick.
Naturally, selecting a quarterback in the first round does not ensure success down the road. This is demonstrated by Mac Jones’s erratic tenure in New England, which began with his selection 15th overall in 2021 and his role in leading the team to the postseason that year, but ended with eight victories in the final two seasons before Jones was traded to Jacksonville earlier this month.
Therefore, despite of the apparent necessity to draft that position, Mayo is justified in keeping his options open at this stage of the process and exercising due investigation to make sure that any potential pick is a true fit for his squad.
If they do choose to go in a different way than quarterbacking early on, it creates opportunity for the Patriots to trade the pick in order to gain capital and either pass on the position entirely or use one of their other seven picks to add a quarterback later in the draft.
Mayo also has the option to stick with the quarterbacks he currently has on the field since he believes that freshly signed Jacoby Brissett can lead the offense in the event that the Patriots are unable to choose their pick in the draft. After spending eight years in the league with five different teams, the 2016 Patriots draft pick eventually made his way back to Foxborough.
“A man such as Jacoby is an excellent leader. He is adored by all,” Mayo remarked. It’s absolutely beneficial for us that he is back inside the structure. And, to be really honest, he might start for us this season. We shall see. Although we’re not certain that we’ll select a quarterback at number three, we do feel comfortable having a player like Jacoby available.”