The New England Patriots will enter the 2024 NFL draft with quarterback, wide receiver and offensive tackle as their three biggest needs.
Granted, they will have an opportunity to fix many of their issues in free agency, but the draft gives them their best opportunity of building for the future, while also saving big money up front.
Mock drafts for the Patriots are constantly changing with predictions of the team moving up, trading back or just flat out staying put at No. 3 overall.
One mock draft this week has the Patriots moving all the way up to No. 1 on the board to select their quarterback of the future. Others had the team locking down Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. or even Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt.
Here’s this week’s round-up of 2024 NFL mock draft picks for New England:
For The Win
For The Win’s Christian D’Andrea has the Patriots addressing the protection issues up front by grabbing one of the best offensive tackles in the entire draft.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame
Yes, the Patriots need a quarterback. And yes, reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels is there for the taking. But saddling a rookie quarterback, no matter how accomplished, behind a mess of an offensive line with no real receiving targets is a recipe for disaster. The Carolina Panthers proved this in 2023.
Instead, New England locks in its blindside protector for the next decade knowing full well it has the draft assets to either scoop a pretty-good prospect at No. 35 or use that pick and more to trade back into the late first round to find its guy. Bringing any quarterback into this system without a proper supporting cast is a problem; Alt takes care of a premium position and gives the Patriots a shot to draft Michael Penix or Bo Nix or J.J. McCarthy later down the line.
ESPN
ESPN’s Field Yates has the Patriots going with the big-armed quarterback from North Carolina to kick-start a new era in New England.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback is still 21 years old and has the prototypical build for an NFL passer. Maye is a strike-thrower when targeting the middle of the field, but he also shows nifty pocket agility to extend plays and has 16 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons. As the Patriots embark on a new era under Jerod Mayo, they could build the new offense around Maye. New England finished last season 30th in yards per attempt (6.1) and 31st in Total QBR (31.6).
NFL.com
NFL.com’s Dan Parr has New England passing on drafting a quarterback early for arguably the best player on the entire draft board.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
In this scenario, the Patriots trade for Justin Fields and start a new era by giving him arguably the best player in the draft.
FOX Sports
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt takes one of the top-three quarterbacks in the draft with this move.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Patriots have to go quarterback as well, and Jayden Daniels is the No. 3 quarterback on my list. Daniels was sensational as the Heisman Trophy winner this past season and he does so many things that should translate to the modern NFL.Ten years ago, I think there would have been a bigger debate surrounding Daniels because he’s not the biggest quarterback. But his mobility and athleticism, along with his ability to attack down the field by throwing the ball in intermediate and downfield zones, make him very attractive to the next level.
It’s pretty obvious that New England is going to be searching for a quarterback. Mac Jones is not going to be the answer.
The Athletic
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner has the Patriots finally adding a top playmaking receiver to change the narrative surrounding the team that offense isn’t a priority.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Harrison could be the top-ranked player on a few boards come draft night. And while offensive tackle and quarterback also remain possibilities for New England, Harrison not only can make an entire offense better, he also can help a struggling quarterback. He’s a true game-changer and the best receiver in the draft — in a year full of great ones.
CBS Sports
CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards changes things up by having the Patriots swing a trade with the Minnesota Vikings. At No. 11, the best player left on the board was without question Brock Bowers.
Round 1, Pick No. 11: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia
New England trades back almost 10 spots and still gets a player who may have been considered at No. 3 overall. If the Patriots are the landing spot for Justin Fields, then suddenly this offense gets a lot more interesting.
Pro Football Focus
Pro Football Focus’ Trevor Sikkema has Jayden Daniels falling to the Patriots and putting an end to the Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe musical chair session.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
All the subtle — or not-so-subtle — quotes from the Patriots’ decision-makers hint that a quarterback is strongly in play for them at No. 3.
Daniels was elite as a runner and passer in the Tigers’ system this season. For a team so desperate for a quarterback, I don’t think the Pats pass on whoever is left between the top three quarterbacks.
NBC Sports Boston
NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry has the Patriots pulling off a blockbuster trade to get the No. 1 overall pick from the Chicago Bears to draft their preferable quarterback.
Round 1, Pick No. 1: QB Caleb Williams, USC
Listed at 6-foot-1, it’ll be interesting to see how Williams measures in when the combine arrives later this month. But he’s such an explosive-yet-fluid mover behind the line of scrimmage, he can make up for whatever he lacks in height. He’s also listed at 215 pounds, which shows up on tape as he has enough power in his lower half to play through contact when necessary and be a threat to pick up yardage with his legs in the open field.
Yahoo! Sports
Yahoo! Sports’ Nate Tice keeps things safe by taking Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels at No. 3 overall.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The Patriots are the pivot point of this draft, as they could go with their (new) quarterback of the future or one of the premium talents at a premium position like Marvin Harrison Jr. or one of the talented offensive tackles. I have the Patriots going the quarterback route with the dynamic Daniels, a player who is going to provide instant excitement with his explosive and chaotic play, both with his legs and arm.
The Ringer
The Ringer’s Danny Kelly has North Carolina’s Drake Maye falling to the Patriots, who scoop him up without hesitation.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
Draft Wire
Draft Wire’s Curt Popejoy has the Patriots taking Jayden Daniels and potentially rebuilding around him in the offseason.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU
The rebuild in New England begins and the centerpiece of head coach Jarod Mayo’s offense should be LSU’s Jayden Daniels. If they are willing to build an offense around him ala Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, he will be a star.
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated’s Luke Easterling has Drake Maye bringing in a new era for the Patriots.
Round 1, Pick No. 3: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina
No matter which signal-caller falls to this spot, the Patriots will have an intriguing dilemma on their hands: Do they take the third-best quarterback in the class or fill another big need with the best player in the entire draft (Marvin Harrison Jr.)? The position is just too important, and the need is just too great for New England to pass on the last of this year’s elite quarterback prospects.
Patriots Wire
Patriots Wire’s Jordy McElroy has the team trading down with the Atlanta Falcons and taking Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the No. 8 overall pick.
Round 1, Pick No. 8: WR Rome Odunze, Washington
In this scenario, the Patriots make the decision to trade down from No. 3 to stockpile more draft picks and fill out their roster. They often neglected or flat out missed at the receiver position during Bill Belichick’s 24-year run. This is a chance for them to finally hit a home run by taking one of the most explosive playmakers in the draft.
