Latest rumor spells trouble for Patriots trade-down hopes in 2024 Draft

As the 2024 NFL Draft approaches, more and more speculation surrounding the Patriots' eventual decision regarding the third overall pick continues to filter into the news.

For most of the last three months, the assumption has been the new regime in New England will inevitably select their next franchise quarterback. However, conflicting reports suggest that may not be the case, with Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf entertaining the possibility of accepting a massive trade offer to move down in the first round.

A few teams are at the center of that conversation, mainly the Raiders and Vikings, which are both said to be interested in trading at the top of the draft to get their future quarterback. Most of the discussion has surrounded the idea of the Patriots and Vikings agreeing to a trade since Minnesota acquired another first-round pick in this year's draft.

That has prompted looking back at the most recent scenario where a team outside of the top ten traded into the top three: the 49ers trading with the Dolphins in 2021 for Trey Lance. The belief has been that the Patriots would need an offer of that magnitude to even listen to any offers.

The trade involved San Francisco sending the 12th overall pick in 2021, a third-round pick that year, and first-rounders in 2022 and 2023 to Miami. It was quite a haul, but because this year's quarterback class is said to be ranked much higher than the one three years ago, it's believed the Patriots could demand a lot more in a trade package.

Patriots insider believes the Patriots' demands might be too high for potential trade partners

Because the Patriots hold a coveted spot on the draft board this year, which seems to become more valuable by the day, looking for a king's ransom in return makes sense. They are a team in need of a quarterback, too, so if they trade away their prime spot to do so, they'll need a lot of draft capital to entice them.

That might create some problems for them, though, according to NBC Sports Boston's Tom Curran, who spoke about the popular trade package that fans and analysts have mentioned as the possible deal for the Patriots to accept.

That theorized trade would involve the Vikings sending the 11th and 23rd overall picks, plus their first-rounder in 2025, for the No. 3 pick this year. But Curran says that is not enough for the team to move off their selection.

“From what I’m hearing, it’s going to take a lot more than that for the Patriots to be moved off their spot, because they as a team collectively understand the opportunity that these three quarterbacks represent at the top of the draft."

Given how valuable a quarterback is in the NFL and the Patriots need for one as well, it makes sense they'd demand far more than a simple swapping of picks plus two other selections.

It's what has made many throw receiver Justin Jefferson into the trade package to increase the value, which makes sense, knowing the Vikings are yet to strike a deal with him to keep him in Minnesota long-term. That might be enough for the Patriots to accept a trade-down since they also need a game-changing receiver for their offense.

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