Patriots are reportedly still "open for business" for No. 3 pick

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf during the / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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We may be just mere hours away from the start of the 2024 NFL Draft, but the Patriots are still not sold on what to do with their first-round pick. They are said to be actively taking calls regarding the No. 3 selection, despite their obvious need for a quarterback.

Most rumors over the past week have suggested the new regime will stick and pick, with Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy at the top of their boards.

But the latest report from NFL insider Ian Rapoport says that may not be the case, as they're still "open for business" to deal their first-round pick just three hours before the start of the Draft.

The Patriots keeping the door open for a blockbuster trade is putting fans on edge

Many teams need a quarterback for the 2024 season, with the Giants and Vikings leading the charge in calling the Patriots about a potential trade-up. However, teams like the Broncos and Raiders are others to watch, especially for Maye and McCarthy, who the Patriots are reportedly the highest on.

So that leaves New England essentially in charge of the draft. The Bears and Commanders are said to take quarterbacks, and whoever they don't take will likely be the player they will select.

However, if they're not 100% sold on who that is, like Jayden Daniels, the expectation is they will trade out of their pick and start the first line of chaos of the night.

It could be a good move since they should receive a hefty trade package in return, filled with 2024 and 2025 draft picks and maybe even impressive players. But it'll only be an accepted move if they have a plan at quarterback, like maybe Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr.

Waiting until 2025 isn't ideal since that class is said to be far less intriguing than this year unless they might heavily pursue a free agent like Dak Prescott. But even that is incredibly risky.

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