Trade By AFC Rival Affects New England Patriots' Draft Plan?

With the New York Jets trade for Haason Reddick, should the New England Patriots alter their draft plans?

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) tries / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Most NFL experts believe that the New England Patriots could be better in 2024, but will likely struggle to field a competitive team in the first post-Bill Belichick season.

That's why what the Patriots do on draft night with the third overall pick will be so interesting. New England is expected to take the last of the top three quarterbacks in Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, or Jayden Daniels, but each rookie would send a different message. Williams and Daniels are offensive weapons that will arguably improve the team right away while Maye would most likely need a full season off to develop his game. They could also trade out of the third pick for more bites of the apple at different positions of need outside of quarterback.

The Patriots difficult decision was only made harder Friday night thanks to an old rival.

Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) tries / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

When the New York Jets acquired Haason Reddick in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, it allowed them to show the NFL world that they are "all-in" on competing for a playoff spot in 2024. With Reddick joining a new-look team in Florham Park with a healthy Aaron Rodgers and newcomers like Tyron Smith and Mike Williams, the gap between the Patriots and the rest of the AFC East is growing for the new season.

That isn't necessarily a terrible thing though.

Outside the jokes that Patriots fans could have with any one of the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, or Jets struggling, they aren't in any true title contention for the next few seasons. That means if there is a developmental quarterback the team could be interested in, the Patriots may want him over other signal-callers.

Why throw out a rookie that you are hitching your future to with a poor roster behind him against franchise's that are gunning for Super Bowls at every turn?

It may not seem that way now, but the Jets acquiring Reddick does the Patriots a huge favor. It reminds them of how far the organization still is at a talent level, and pushes them to understand that sitting a rookie signal-caller while the rest of the roster is being built might be the best thing for him.

After all, when it comes to the Jets. Reddick, Smith, Williams, and even Rodgers may not be around following the 2024 season. A sign that New England's new quarterback could be sitting at just the right time.