In the lead-up to the 2024 NFL draft, the New England Patriots have made it clear that they’re open to fielding offers for the coveted No. 3 overall pick. Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf said on April 18 that the Patriots are “open for business”.
Various teams have expressed interest, according to an April 22 report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“The Patriots, slated to pick No. 3, also have been fielding calls from teams,” Schefter wrote. “It would take a big offer for New England to move off that spot, knowing it needs to come out of Round 1 with a quarterback, but the team has listened. And the Vikings, among others, have attempted to move up.”
“ Many are waiting to see how the Patriots value Maye vs. J.J. McCarthy and whether New England could make a play like the Cardinals, who made two trades in Round 1 a year ago.”
Adam Schefter
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Holding such a prime position in the draft order affords the Patriots significant leverage, particularly in a year where the top quarterback talent is abundant. With as many as four quarterbacks commanding attention as potential top picks, the draft’s intrigue is palpable.
Among the prospects likely to be within reach at No. 3 are the highly touted quarterbacks Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. Their presence on the draft board presents an enticing opportunity for a franchise quarterback talent to bolster any roster. However, the Patriots are also in desperate need of a quarterback.
The Patriots Are Preparing for Every Scenario
The Patriots are well aware that they need to walk away from the draft with a quarterback who can lead them for the foreseeable future. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the Patriots must select a quarterback at No. 3 overall. The Patriots are preparing for all types of scenarios, said MMQB’s Albert Breer said on April 19.
.@AlbertBreer says the #Patriots “have prepared themselves for the possibility that they trade down,” but it’s not likely they do so.
“If you trade down, you lose the certainty that you’re gonna get the quarterback you want and I do think ownership wants a quarterback here.”…
Breer also stated that the Patriots’ focus on Washington quarterback Micahel Penix Jr. might be a contingency plan if someone does offer a package worthy of the Patriots trading out of the No.3 overall pick. While Breer and many others said they don’t anticipate that the Patriots will trade that pick, the team has a plan in case it happens.
“It’s worth noting that Penix was a late addition to the team’s slate of 30 visits. I’ve heard on good authority that was in case the team decides to trade down,” Breer said.
Draft week report on the Patriots:
Per: @AlbertBreer
– “It’s worth noting that Penix was a late addition to the team’s slate of 30 visits—I’ve heard on good authority that was in case the team decides to trade down.”
– “If Daniels is there, I’d bet they take him.”
– “Both…
What Would It Take for Patriots to Trade No. 3 Overall?
As the draft buzz intensifies, ESPN’s Mike Reiss provided insight, suggesting that the Patriots may have steep demands for any potential trade-down scenario. Reiss speculated that a package including multiple first-round draft picks along with an established player could entice the Patriots to part ways with their prized position in the draft order.
@PrimeGeoff Hi Geoff. Something I mentioned yesterday in discussion on this topic — my opinion is that it would take an established player (e.g. Justin Jefferson) plus multiple first-round picks.
One would think that if the Vikings started proposing packages that included star WR Justin Jefferson and multiple first-round picks, they would, at the very least, capture the Patriots’ attention. Other Patriots insiders also agree with Reese.
According to NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran, orchestrating a trade down from the Patriots’ lofty draft position won’t come cheap for anyone. Delving deeper into this topic on the “Patriots Talk Podcast,” Curran outlined the significant package he said would be necessary to persuade the Patriots to relinquish their coveted spot in the draft order.
“What kind of currency do the Patriots need to see coming to them? I keep circling back to it’s going to be three first-round picks, meaning at 11 and 23 and their first-round pick from next year,” said Curran. “From what I’m hearing, it’s going to take a lot more than that for the Patriots to be moved off their spot because they, as a team, collectively understand the opportunity that these three quarterbacks represent at the top of the draft.”
.@tomecurran “It’s going to take a lot more than (three 1st-round picks) for the Patriots to be moved off their spot.”
Full episode of New Patriots Talk Podcast:
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With NFL Draft Nearing, Multiple Teams Vying to Trade for Patriots’ No. 3 Pick: Report