Patriots have decided their favorite rookie quarterback(s) in 2024 Draft

Will the Patriots select a quarterback with the third overall pick in this year's draft? Or will they pass on one for a player to fill another significant need on the offense, like left tackle or wide receiver?

This continues to be the most debated question leading up to next month's draft, and conflicting reports regarding their intentions don't provide much clarity. The assumption is they will inevitably take a quarterback, given they already traded Mac Jones and signed Jacoby Brissett as a presumed bridge player. But there are many factors influencing their ultimate decision;

Who will fall to them at No. 3?

What if they don't feel comfortable with their options once on the clock?

Could they take advantage of their coveted spot and trade down?

We won't know until the first round kicks off on April 25, but the new regime in Foxboro is doing its due diligence in the weeks before the big night. That includes meeting with most of the top quarterback prospects at the Combine and attending the Pro Days of their favorites this week.

Where they have decided to have representatives present for these Pro Days might provide some insight into who they have their eye on as potential draftees.

Because they're near the top of the order, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that quarterbacks coach TC McCartney, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and de facto GM Eliot Wolf were in attendance at USC to get a closer look at assumed first overall pick Caleb Williams.

Although it's highly unlikely he will be on the board when they pick, it's probably more of a formality than anything else. But it's still a good decision to get another look at the quarterback and the others who participated in the activities.

Breer also reported that the same team, plus Jerod Mayo, will attend Michigan's Pro Day on Friday to watch rising prospect J.J. McCarthy, and they'll end their travels by attending LSU and UNC's Pro Days next week to get a good look at Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

Because of their presence at those specific Pro Days, it's clear they've narrowed their focus to those four quarterbacks. All of them are expected to go in the top 10, which seems to indicate the Patriots' decision to take their next franchise player with their first-round pick.

That will prompt a sigh of relief for many fans who have had increasing concern about the possibility they will pass on taking a quarterback, and it also shuts down the chance of the team trading down with the Vikings, who are reportedly wanting to move up to take their next signal-caller as well.

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