NFL 2024 Mock Draft: New England Patriots Select Mac Jones Replacement With Top 10 Pick?
The New England Patriots are off to their worst start to a season in 23 years, which has many fans beginning to turn their attention away from the disappointing 1-4 start to the future.
Following back-to-back blowout losses, both of which are historic in their own right, with the most recent coming at the hands of the New Orleans Saints, the mock drafts are projecting New England to have a Top 10 pick in next April's NFL Draft.
The most recent mock draft from Pro Football Focus (PFF) has the Patriots netting the No. 8 overall pick, which would make it the franchise's first selection inside the Top 10 since 2008 when they took Jerod Mayo.
So, who did the advanced analytics have the Patriots taking with their first primo pick in 15 years? A franchise quarterback, of course.
If the Pats sink to a Top 10 pick in next April's NFL Draft, quarterback Bo Nix might be a candidate to replace regressing Mac Jones.
"It feels like the Patriots will be on the hunt for a new quarterback next offseason," PFF writes. "If they choose to address the position in the draft, [Bo] Nix is an option."
The prediction of the Patriots taking a quarterback with their first-round pick may not come as a surprise, considering the recent struggles of current starter Mac Jones. However, PFF's projection of Oregon's Bo Nix being the pick may be a surprise.
Nix, the fifth-year senior, was formerly a highly touted recruit out of high school who started his career at Auburn before transferring to the Ducks after three seasons. Nix's time with the War Eagles came with mixed reviews following a promising freshman season where he led them to a win in the "Iron Bowl" versus the Alabama Crimson Tide, he struggled for consistency.
However, since transferring to Eugene, Nix seems to have developed into a serious draft prospect. Through five games this season, he has thrown for 1,459 yards and 15 touchdowns, with just one interception, while completing 80.4 percent of his passes.
Says PFF, "As a very good dual-threat player, Nix has improved his game dramatically from his Auburn days, with a cumulative 69.3 passing grade under pressure the past two years and an 89.9 passing grade this season."
If Nix can keep his current pace, it doesn't seem out of the realm of possibility that he continues to have his name in the first-round conversation.
