Jerod Mayo Hints at Patriots’ Plans for No. 3 Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

The newly-promoted coach wasted little time in giving fans an intriguing draft day nugget to look forward to.

With the New England Patriots set to begin the post-Bill Belichick era, new coach Jerod Mayo wasted little time in giving fans a draft day note to look forward to as the offseason rolls on.

Mayo, following his official promotion on Wednesday, spoke with CBS News about his initial thoughts on the team’s plans for the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft. As per the Patriot Way, Mayo, a former linebacker who played all of his eight seasons in New England, stayed quiet about potential picks but offered enough insight to suggest the team will look to address its woes at quarterback.

“What I will say is this: we’re gonna draft the best player for a position that is very important. You put the pieces together,” Mayo said with a laugh during an interview with WBZ-TV’s Steve Burton.

After inheriting a team facing questions under center, Mayo’s answer may not make it too hard for NFL fans to decipher which way the first-year coach and the Patriots are leaning ahead of April’s draft.

New England (4–13) concluded a subpar 2023 campaign led by QB Bailey Zappe, who replaced incumbent starter Mac Jones in Week 13 and led the club to a 2–4 mark over the last six weeks.

Entering the ’24 draft in Detroit, the Pats, based on Mayo’s hint, will likely eye one of several high-profile quarterbacks available in this year’s class, including Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels. But, with plenty of questions to answer until then, New England will keep its options open as the offseason gets underway.