A Bombshell: Bill Belichick traded in this Patriots 5-round NFL mock draft

With the New England Patriots being just one of two teams that are officially out of postseason contention, the team can definitively start looking ahead.

This week, one of the big storylines revolved around head coach Bill Belichick. According to a report, the Patriots have already decided on Belichick's fate. With some thinking he could be fired due to such a poor season and an inability to win in a post-Tom Brady era, it looks as though a departure is now imminent.

The report suggests that New England has already decided to part ways with Belichick. But, the question is, how? They could mutually part ways, or another team could swoop in with heavy interest and whip up a trade for the Hall of Fame coach.

With the latter idea in mind, let's take a stab at our latest mock draft. But first, before Belichick is traded, the Patriots make a selection at no. 2 overall.

The Patriots get their new franchise quarterback en route to a fresh start at head coach in this five-round 2024 NFL mock draft.

With the no. 2 overall pick, the Patriots make the easiest of decisions in going with North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye following the selection of Caleb Williams at no. 1.

Mac Jones is clearly not the answer, and neither is Bailey Zappe. On the other hand, Maye is every bit of your prototypical NFL quarterback standing 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds. His mobility allows him to make throws while evading pressure, his arm talent is superb and he's shown an ability to place his passes accurately even under said pressure.

Maye is the consensus no. 2 quarterback in his class, and some might even put him above Williams. For the Patriots, this resets the quarterback clock with a new rookie contract and gives whomever the new head coach is a brand-new beginning. Hopefully, Maye turns out to be a first-round hit rather than a bust like Jones.