NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Land Their 'Josh Allen'

The New England Patriots addressed their three vital needs on offense in Chad Reuter's five-round mock draft.

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10). / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

In just over two weeks, the New England Patriots will make a decision that'll ultimately determine the regime's fate with the organization in a few year's time.

Does New England address its pressing need at quarterback this year with the No. 3 overall pick, or does it trade back for a Godfather-like offer to better round out the team? In NFL.Com draft analyst Chad Reuter's five-round mock draft, he had the Patriots standing pat and landing their version of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen in UNC's Drake Maye.

Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10). / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

"New England has watched Josh Allen win 21 of 26 contests against AFC East foes since the start of the decade, throwing for over 7,000 yards with 57 touchdowns, to go along with 1,000 yards and 10 scores on the ground, against division opponents," Reuter writes. "If Maye's game reminds Jerod Mayo and Co. of the big-bodied, strong-armed Allen, then it could be tough for the Pats to pass him up."

In the following four rounds, New England landed Georgia offensive tackle Amarius Mims, Michigan receiver Roman Wilson, Miami defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III, and Tulane cornerback Jarius Monroe.

Maye is the quarterback who has been most connected to the Patriots throughout the draft process, with Caleb Williams expected to be the No. 1 overall pick to the Chicago Bears and Jayden Daniels as the favorite to get drafted by the Washington Commanders. Maye also visited the Patriots last week and head coach Jerod Mayo has spoken highly of the 6-foot-4, 223-pound quarterback.

“You can tell he has that leadership ability,” Mayo said at the NFL Owners Meeting in Orlando in March. “The exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye is there is no ceiling with a guy like that.”

If Mayo believes Maye has the type of ceiling that's comparable to Allen, then he should be a no-brainer for New England with the No. 3 overall pick if Williams and Daniels are off the board. The Patriots can also afford to be patient with developing Maye and ensure he's ready when he steps on the field with Jacoby Brissett in tow.

Mims and Wilson would be a part of helping set Maye up for success. Mims can be the franchise left tackle New England is been desperate to find and help fix the Patriots' offensive line woes with his monstrous 6-foot-8, 340-pound frame. Wilson can be a reliable target for a receiving corps that needs an infusion of talent. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound receiver caught 48 passes for 789 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023.

For Mayo and the rest of the Patriots' regime, this draft will be a transformative one. Regardless of whether they choose to stay put and draft their quarterback of the future or trade back for a boatload of draft picks, they need to get it right because the rest of their tenure will depend on how well they do in the 2024 NFL Draft.