The New England Patriots double-dipped at wide receiver in the NFL Draft. After selecting Washington’s Ja’Lynn Polk in Round 2, they opted for UCF’s Javon Baker in Round 4. Using two picks on the position was not unexpected. New England selecting multiple quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft was less anticipated. But that is exactly what the Patriots did. After taking Drake Maye at No. 3 overall, the Patriots picked Tennessee QB Joe Milton III 190 picks later.
By Round 6 of the NFL Draft, no prospects are expected to become solid NFL starters. There are exceptions to the rule (Tom Brady). They selected their future franchise QB in Drake Maye in Round 1. If they were going to take a second quarterback from this class the two factors to consider were upside and/or ability to be a solid backup (run the scout team, etc). Joe Milton III has incredible upside.
Milton measured in at 6-foot-5 and weighed 235 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. Milton also showed his athleticism by doing backflips. He looks the part of a star NFL quarterback. But what impressed onlookers most in Indianapolis was his deep ball. Joe Milton III has an absolute cannon of an arm. Whether this translates onto the football field during actual games has not always been the case.
Joe Milton III began his career at Michigan before transferring to Tennessee for the past three seasons. He had moments of brilliance but was an inconsistent player with accuracy problems downfield. If he could accurately place his deep throws he would have been in the conversation to go first overall. Alas, he has failed to show that to date.
But despite his shortcomings, Joe Milton III at No. 183 Milton seems like a low-risk, high-reward gamble for the New England Patriots.
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