Maye-Day! Patriots Trading Down From No. 3 Draft Pick?

Despite long being linked to North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye at the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, there is suddenly growing momentum suggesting the New England Patriots will instead trade down.

The New England Patriots are desperate for a franchise quarterback. But is there one in the upcoming NFL Draft guaranteed to accelerate their rebuilding project?

While most analysts and mock drafts have long linked the Patriots and North Carolina's Drake Maye at the No. 3 overall pick, there is momentum in the last few weeks for New England to possible move off the quarterback and possibly even out of the slot.

Bleacher Report this week suggested Pats' general manager Eliot Wolf could pull a Houdini by trading down and still manage to land Maye. In his 3.0 mock released Tuesday, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein also projects the Patriots trading down with the New York Giants.

But in his scenario, the Giants wind up taking Maye No. 3 and the Pats - with additional assets - instead select LSU receiver Malik Nabors with the sixth pick.

Reasons NFL.com: "The Patriots are willing to pass on the quarterback position with the third pick in order to add more draft capital for their rebuild. After moving down, they grab the wideout with the highest ceiling in the draft."

Having traded Mac Jones and with Tom Brady not walking through that door, the Pats are left with only journeyman Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe as viable quarterback options. Therefore, it's difficult to imagine them passing on a quarterback at No. 3.

The Giants, who are moving on from former Top 5 pick Daniel Jones, own six overall picks in the draft to use as trade capital including Round 2 (47th overall), Round 3 (70), Round 4 (107), Round 5 (166) and Round 6 (183)

Writes Zierlein of New York's move from No. 6 to No. 3: "In this three-spot move up the board, the Giants probably have to pay more than the standard trade chart would indicate, since the supply side of the quarterback position is dwindling but the demand remains high. Brian Daboll fosteredJosh Allen's raw talents in Buffalo and could have a chance to do the same with this toolsy but inconsistent North Carolina product."

With several holes to fill on one of the NFL's least talented rosters, the Patriots could benefit by acquiring more draft picks. But can they afford to do so without leaving this draft with their quarterback of the future on the roster?

.