NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Pick 'Play-Making’ QB?

Will the New England Patriots find their franchise quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Will the New England Patriots land its quarterback of the future in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

In the 33rd Team's mock draft, they had the Patriots addressing that need by taking the University of Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 3 overall pick. 

"After an impressive rookie season, New England Patriots QB Mac Jones has had quite the fall from grace," The 33rd Team writes. "After multiple benchings in 2023, the Patriots turn to the quarterback position to try to replicate the Tom Brady era in New England. Caleb Williams’ arm talent and play-making skills provide the New England offense with a much higher ceiling than what it’s had since Brady’s departure."

Williams has been one of the best quarterbacks in college football since he first touched the field as a freshman at Oklahoma in 2021. After transferring to the USC Trojans in 2022, Williams won the Heisman Trophy. He threw for 4,537 yards, 42 touchdowns and five interceptions while running for 382 yards and 10 scores in his Heisman-winning campaign as a sophomore.

Caleb Williams (No. 13) and Drake Maye (10) are seen as the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft

This season, Williams threw for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions and ran for 11 scores.

Williams was viewed as a generational prospect heading into this season, though that has taken a bit of a hit with the Trojans' struggles this season, as they went 7-5. He has also lost 32 fumbles in his collegiate career. The emergence of University of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has also impacted Williams' draft stock. 

New England is also better positioned to land the quarterback they covet after the New York Giants beat the Washington Commanders 31-19 on Sunday. The Giants' win moved the Patriots up into the top three of the 2023 NFL Draft. 

The Giants and Patriots square off this Sunday at MetLife Stadium on Sunday in a battle for draft positioning. 

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The USC quarterback would address a huge need at the game's most important position for New England (2-8). With Mac Jones being benched three times this season, it's clear he isn't the answer long-term for New England. 

If Williams is on the board when the Patriots are picking in the first round, it should be a no-brainer, and they'll get their first franchise quarterback since Tom Brady left in 2020.