Patriots 7-Round Mock Draft: Mega offensive-heavy draft to close gap in AFC East

The New England Patriots' offseason is, as usual, teetering on the brink of ruination. To say their free agency efforts have been lackluster would be glorifying that term. It's been a colossal dud. Can anyone say they've improved significantly, well ... anywhere?

If not, then what was the point of these signings? That was free agency.

In any event, general manager-in-training Eliot Wolf still has the 2024 NFL draft to bail him out of the less-than-stellar auspicious kickoff of his term. The thought here is he'll need to ace that aspect of the offseason teambuilding, if he wants to extend his tenure as the top personnel man in Foxborough.

So, here we go. It's only about a month until the draft starts, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's ushering the proceedings into session. It's a great time of the year for draftniks and fans of any NFL team. So LET's GO! Let's conduct the draft that Eliot Wolf should ... beginning with the third pick overall in the draft, and hope he does as well.

Note: Thanks to sportskeeda for the use of their mock draft simulator.

Patriots select Drake Maye, QB, UNC with 3rd overall pick

With the Pats' first pick, Wolf takes a quarterback projected to the Pats by many observers. The first two picks make the pick easier; the other two of the top-three quarterbacks, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, are off the board.

The Pats waste no time and select dual-threat (pass and run) quarterback Drake Maye from North Carolina. It's a no-brainer, and he's the quarterback of the future who can do it all. "Nuf said, it's a great pick. We move on from there after a terrific start to this draft.