It certainly wouldn't be a well-received decision, but the Patriots do have several impressive options in the first round of this year's draft if they forgo selecting a quarterback with their third overall pick.
It has been a debate since it was clear they would hold the coveted spot on the draft board because so many holes on the offense need to be dealt with. From taking their next WR1 or offensive tackle to potentially snagging the best tight end of the draft class, there is enough argument to be made about waiting on taking a quarterback.
Whether or not that seems like a wise decision depends on who you ask, especially since the team has struggled to find a quarterback since Tom Brady left four years ago.
However, there is a scenario where a player they're not in love with falls to them at three, and instead of drafting him just to select a quarterback, they choose to trade down with a team that does like him. This ongoing struggle should raise concerns and underline the situation's urgency, making the argument for exploring other options more compelling.
Or they take one of the other top prospects they have been looking at, and it is rumored that there will be nearly a handful of teams looking to do that.
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
LT Joe Alt
One of the most needed positions on the offense the Patriots need to address early in the draft since they didn't in free agency is left tackle. The idea of them taking an offensive lineman in the first round would certainly not win over fans, especially after the adverse reaction to Cole Strange's selection, but if they could snag the top-ranked player at the position, then it's difficult to argue against it.
Notre Dame's Joe Alt is by far the best prospect at left tackle in this year's class. He's the fifth-ranked overall player by PFF in the entire draft, and his stats back up exactly why that is.
Over the last three years, he's averaged 726 snaps of play and has allowed just four sacks and five hits on the quarterback. Imagine having this guy protect a rookie quarterback in New England over the next four years. Alt would be an incredible upgrade over what they've dealt with in recent seasons.
At 6'8" and 322 lbs., Alt has the size to be an absolute force on the field. His impressive stats, including just four sacks and five hits on the quarterback over the last three years, and his phenomenal footwork for his frame instill confidence in his abilities. Alt's strength to keep even the best pass rushers away is a quality that has been a consistent weakness for the Patriots offensive line for some time.
If they pass on a quarterback at No. 3 or even decide to trade down, there's no reason to pass on Alt whatsoever. He would instantly stabilize the line and provide nearly impeccable protection for whoever the quarterback will be. What more could you ask for?
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
TE Brock Bowers
Maybe tight end isn't at the top of the list of positional needs for the Patriots roster currently, but it has been one of the team's more difficult ones to find adequate replacements for post-Rob Gronkowski.
They've had success with Hunter Henry since signing him in 2021, but pairing him with an equal or better player hasn't been so easy.
The incoming rookie class is one of the weaker groups in recent years, which makes it even more ideal that they re-signed Henry in the offseason and brought in Austin Hooper for added help. However, the top prospect of the class, Brock Bowers, would be a wise choice in the first round at pick No. 3 or a trade down scenario.
Brock Bowers, the top-ranked player by far and wide at the position of the incoming rookie class, brings a unique set of skills and qualities that align perfectly with the Patriots' needs. His versatility, reliability, and impressive blocking skills make him an exciting prospect for the team's up-and-coming offense.
Over the last three years at Georgia, he averaged 847 yards per season, eight touchdowns, and 14.5 yards per reception; that's more than Henry during his three seasons in New England.
Bowers would provide quite a boost to the offense, fall into the category described by de facto GM Eliot Wolf of weaponizing the offense, and have a great mentor in Henry to learn from for the next three seasons.
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
WR Adonai Mitchell
Most Patriots fans have their eyes set on the team selecting a wide receiver in the first round if they pass on taking a quarterback. Many names have been floated as the most desirable, but after what we saw at the Combine last month, it would be hard to argue against them drafting Texas' Adonai Mitchell.
The 6'4" receiver has risen in the ranks over the last several weeks, primarily due to his impressive speed in the 40-yard dash, which placed him third in the receiver class. His size makes him an excellent fit for the Patriots, who cut DeVante Parker earlier in the offseason, and Mitchell's skills as a 50/50 catcher would fill that void quite nicely, if not better.
The fluidity of his game, despite his size, is what makes him one of the more fascinating prospects for the team to consider. He's proven he can be a WR1 for any team in the league, as he consistently beat some of the top cornerback prospects of this year's class during the 2023 season.
One of the best parts about his addition to the Patriots offense would be giving the quarterback a solid red zone target willing to do what it takes to catch a football, even if it requires a tiptoe touch to keep himself in bounds.
That's what this Patriots' offense is lacking, making Mitchell even more desirable.
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
ED Laiatu Latu
The Patriots are still in the market for an equal pass-rushing talent to play alongside Matthew Judon on the defense, and who better to draft than UCLA's Laiatu Latu?
As the top-ranked EDGE defender, Latu's arrival would catapult the Patriots' already dominant defense to new heights. His college football career was a testament to his prowess, where he emerged as the best pass rusher, terrorizing opposing quarterbacks with 27 sacks, 19 hits, and 81 hurries in 2022 and 2023.
Latu's impressive skills extend beyond pass-rushing. His run defense is equally outstanding, which would be a much-needed boost for New England's defense. This aspect has been a weak point for them team, and with Lawrence Guy's departure in free agency this year, the team will need even more help in this area.
Selecting Latu would help eliminate the concern of the Patriots playing mobile quarterbacks on game day, particularly in the AFC East. Since quarterbacks of that style have become the standard in recent years, it's even more dire that the team bulks up their pass rushers to ensure they won't lose the game due to the opposing quarterback running all over them.
A duo of Judon and Latu and the hopeful reboot of Josh Uche circa 2022 would put them near the top of the best pass-rushing units in the entire league. And that sounds almost better than any other scenario in the first round. Almost.
5 first-rounders the Patriots should consider other than a quarterback
CB Nate Wiggins
Yes, the Patriots just drafted a cornerback in the first round last year, so the thought of doing it again in 2024 isn't high on the desire list. But when you find a lockdown player like Christian Gonzalez, and if the chance strikes to add another to the roster, it would be a shame to let the opportunity pass by.
They could get that by selecting Clemon's Nate Wiggins, an athletic and disruptive player who could help make the secondary a receiver's worst nightmare.
The 6'2" cornerback has all of the natural characteristics New England loves in their players, especially his ability to play in virtually any scheme.
His impressive quickness (he recorded a 4.28-second dash time at the Combine) could inject a much-needed burst into the Patriots' defense, a quality that has been lacking in recent years. His instincts also give coaches the assurance that he's a player they can rely on during game time.
The thought of a Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, and Wiggins secondary feels like what dreams are made of. If the Patriots want to continue building an even more stout defense, selecting the Clemson prospect would really put them over the top, especially after they lost J.C. Jackson, Jalen Mills, and Adrian Phillips in free agency.
It could put them back on track to where they were with Stephon Gilmore and Jackson manning the secondary, which most Patriots fans wouldn't mind seeing put together again.