Patriots Mock Draft Roundup: Quarterback carousel continues to spin

The 2024 NFL Draft is slowly but surely getting here, and the fascination with who the Patriots will ultimately take with the third overall pick is only heightening. The assumption is they will take a quarterback, which rumors claiming their disinterest in trading down seems to confirm, but who that will becomes more mysterious by the day.

We're at that point in the leadup to the draft when conflicting reports and wildly different impressions of players are commonplace, some of which are purposely done by teams to create some smoke about a player they're hoping to select.

That could be what's happening in recent weeks, with the swaps of Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye on first-round big boards, as Maye had been long touted as the second-best quarterback of the class. Now, that label is being awarded to Daniels.

It has created some chaos regarding which player will be taken by New England. Although Maye has been the favorite by far in recent weeks, that doesn't appear to be the case anymore.

Yahoo Sports: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Charles McDonald and Nate Tice wrote:

"The Patriots trade back and stop Jayden Daniels’ fall down the draft board. They're not set up well to support a rookie quarterback, but the financial risk lessens at this point in the draft and Daniels will give them a floor to at least be a quality rushing team."

NFL.com: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Chad Reuter wrote:

"It looks as though the Patriots will ride with a rookie quarterback in the post-Bill Belichick era, grabbing whomever the Commanders pass on between Daniels and Maye. Maye's strength in the pocket and all-around skill set scream NFL starter, and the team hopes new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt can mold him into a consistent winner."

CBS Sports: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Will Brinson wrote:

"The Patriots are a trade-out candidate here as well, but like the Commanders, they want to grab their guy in this QB-rich draft, and they do so with the Heisman winner, who pairs nicely with the sneakily unathletic Jacoby Brissett."

Pro Football Network: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

A.J. Schulte wrote:

"New England keeps signaling they are set to take a quarterback early in the 2024 NFL Draft. Drake Maye is as perfect of a fit as you’ll find for the Patriots with his arm talent, football IQ, and natural leadership. He’ll give them a clear playmaker to build around for the foreseeable future."

The 33rd Team: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Ian Valentino wrote:

"The New England Patriots have seen a lot of rumors swirling about trading down, but moving out of this spot will cost them a good chance of finding a legitimate franchise quarterback. Whether it's Drake Maye or Daniels, the Patriots can revamp a dead offense around a quality skill set. Who knows if the Patriots will have the same opportunity in 2025?

Maye, at 6-foot-4, 233 pounds, is an impressive athlete who can deliver haymakers downfield. He's also excellent in the short game, proving to effectively understand defenders' pre- and post-snap leverage. He plays a lot like Patrick Mahomes did in 2023 but doesn't have the same elite-level arm strength."

CBS Sports: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Ryan Wilson wrote:

"Maye reminds me a lot of Justin Herbert in that he didn't have a lights-out final season in college and skeptics are wondering what he'll look like at the next level. I think he'll be a better pro than college QB, and even though '23 was uneven at times, his '22 tape is pretty good. The Patriots will likely get several very lucrative opportunities to move down from No. 3 but like Washington and Chicago above them, they desperately need a quarterback."

Fox Sports: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Joel Klatt wrote:

"With Williams and Maye off the board, this should be an easy pick for the Patriots. The Patriots already traded away Mac Jones while their quarterback room only has Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe. That's not going to cut it. Of all teams, they should know you need to elevate at that position in order to win. Nobody wins the Super Bowl with average quarterback play. I can't wait to see what Daniels does at the next level."

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