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New England Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots are reportedly not high on one of NFL Draft’s top three QBs

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/19/24

It’s almost a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears will take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Which leaves the New England Patriots, who need a quarterback after trading 2023 starter Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, with whoever the Washington Commanders don’t want between North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.

But according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the Patriots reportedly aren’t keen on one of those players, making what they do with the No. 3 overall pick next month all the more interesting.

“We’re hearing all this chatter about how the Patriots don’t love Drake Maye,” Kiper Jr. said on ESPN’s “First Draft.” “About how he missed receivers and wasn’t accurate in a handful of games. They need a quarterback desperately. But so does Minnesota. In a division that includes Josh Allen (Bills), Aaron Rodgers (Jets) and Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins), you've got to have a quarterback.’ Maybe they like Maye. Maybe they like [Michigan QB J.J.] McCarthy over Maye. But why in the world would you trade out of No. 3?”

Dan's source is sticking by Drake Maye, even though he's sliding down draft boards.

"I'm sticking by Drake Maye, who for some reason seems to be falling. He's getting picked apart on minor flaws. None of these QBs are perfect. Typical pre-draft nonsense. He will be a great pro." pic.twitter.com/Ol6ydlbEqL
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) March 14, 2024

It's been assumed that Williams, Maye and Daniels, in no particular order, would be the top three picks of next month’s draft. It’s also been reported that the Commanders want Williams, a D.C. native, but aren’t willing to pay what it would cost to move up to the top spot to get him.

So the question that needs answered is if the Bears take Williams and the Commanders take Daniels, would the Patriots take Maye — a player they may not be completely sold on — with the third overall pick, would they prefer McCarthy or would they trade out of the pick?

Maye had a decent season in 2023, throwing for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. But some scouts soured on him after failing to put up the numbers he did as a sophomore (4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions) when he was the ACC Player and Offensive Player of the Year.

Of course, Maye lost his two leading receivers from that season in Josh Downs (Indianapolis Colts third-round pick) and Antoine Green (Detroit Lions seventh-round pick), and his top WR this year, Devontez Walker missed the first four games due to NCAA eligibility issues.

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