Could Patriots Pass on Top QB in 1st Round?
In many early projections for the 2024 NFL Draft, the consensus seems to have the New England Patriots spending the No. 3 pick on a top quarterback prospect.
That makes plenty of sense, considering the debacle that has been the Mac Jones/Bailey Zappe era over the past few seasons, even if that means taking the third-best passer in this year's class.
With the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders both expected to take quarterbacks ahead of the Pats' current draft slot, that would leave New England with the last of this year's top three prospects at the position. USC's Caleb Williams is the favorite to go No. 1 to Chicago, leaving either North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels to fall to the Patriots.
But in the latest 2024 NFL mock draft from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, they pass on Daniels at No. 3 in favor of wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State.
Neither Mac Jones nor Bailey Zappe have been able to establish themselves as a quality starter.
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"In this scenario, the Patriots go the veteran route to fill the need at quarterback, which frees them up to trade the No. 3 overall pick or take the uber-talented Harrison," Jeremiah explains.
Harrison is widely regarded as the top overall prospect in the entire draft, regardless of position, and he would fill another one of the Pats' biggest needs, giving them a true No. 1 receiver.
Jeremiah isn't alone in thinking New England would pass on a quarterback with their top selection, as ESPN's Matt Miller doesn't think they should go that route either:
If the Patriots are able to land a decent veteran in free agency to upgrade over Jones and Zappe, it could indeed free them up to take the best player in the draft in Harrison, instead of spending that pick on whichever top quarterback prospect is still left on the board.
