Scramblers vs. Pocket Passers: Quarterback Draft Class Offers Patriots Choice

Will new head coach Jerod Mayo and offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt choose athletic legs or a strong arm for the next New England Patriots' quarterback in April's NFL Draft?

NFL history usually has a unique way of staying relevant despite major changes to the game. 

For example, to win games in the modern sense, having a quarterback that can attack defenses in different ways (running and throwing) is now seen as more important than the traditional pocket-passer. 

National quarterback Michael Penix Jr., of Washington, runs drills during practice for the Senior Bowl, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/ Butch Dill) :: Cred: AP Photo/ Butch Dill

Of course, with the rise of more pocket-passing, athletic quarterbacks, the team that usually wins the Super Bowl over the last five years has been the organization that has a quarterback who plays mistake-free football in the pocket. 

For a rebuilding team like the New England Patriots, the balance between what college prospects come out as, and how championship teams are built offers them a unique question heading into the 2024 NFL Draft. 

With the third overall pick, should the Pats opt to take the best available quarterback in Jayden Daniels (expected) despite the notion he is more offensive weapon than a passer, or trade back and get the more traditional pocket throwers? 

The question becomes more difficult when people realize the Patriots dynasty was won because they had the better pocket passer over every other team in football during the era. 

Times have certainly changed, though, and being able to win from the pocket is not the only necessary thing to win. The Patriots have little play-makers on their offense and a poor offensive line. Any pocket-passing quarterback could get killed on Sundays if the team does not make major changes to the entire unit overall. 

Of course, a scrambling prospect like Daniels could mask some of those concerns. A poor offensive line may give the Heisman Trophy winner a chance to make plays with his legs more than with his arm. 

On the other side of the argument, though, the goal for New England should not be to remain competitive in a difficult conference. The goal for a team with six Super Bowls should ALWAYS be to win a seventh. 

Selecting a pocket passer usually gives teams a better chance to hoist a Lombardi Trophy than anything else. 

There are plenty of athletic pocket passers in the Draft this year. JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr., and Bo Nix are all athletic players but do their damage inside the pocket the most. While all three will be available at the third overall selection, the Patriots would be foolish to draft any of them with that value. 

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The Patriots' decision on Draft Day will come down to a very simple question. 

Do they like Daniels enough to give him the keys to the offense, or would they prefer a more traditional passer to work with new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt? 

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