NFL Mock Draft: New England Patriots Pick Franchise Quarterback?

After benching Mac Jones three times during games this season, it might be time for the New England Patriots to draft another quarterback.

It's officially NFL mock draft season for New England Patriots fans after a 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany dropped them to 2-8. The Pats are mired in their worst season since 2000, Bill Belichick's first season as the franchise's head coach. 

New England currently owns the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft if it was today. In the 33rd Team's latest mock draft, they have the Patriots taking Mac Jones’ successor at quarterback: fhe University of North Carolina’s Drake Maye. 

"The Mac Jones era in New England appears to be coming to an end," The 33rd Team writes. "Jones has been benched multiple times throughout the 2023 season, and an embarrassing effort in Week 10 against the Indianapolis Colts places the New England Patriots in a prime spot to land their next franchise quarterback. Drake Maye had an outstanding performance against Duke, and the race between Maye and Caleb Williams is getting tight."

Is Drake Maye the answer at quarterback for the New England Patriots? / FanStreamSports.com

Maye has put together a stellar redshirt sophomore season, throwing for 3,145 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's also ran for 276 yards and eight scores. The redshirt sophomore quarterback completed 28 of 43 passes for 342 yards, one touchdown and an interception on Saturday in UNC's 47-45 win in double-overtime over Duke.

Maye's performance this season has closed the gap on USC quarterback Caleb Williams for who will be the top quarterback drafted in 2024. The beauty of both quarterbacks will be in the eye of the beholder, and the Patriots won't be the only team vying for either quarterback's services. Just two picks before New England took Maye in the mock draft, the New York Giants took Williams.

With the Giants and Patriots both at 2-8, their matchup at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 26 will go a long way toward deciding who is best positioned to land their quarterback of the future. 

The writing is on the wall for Mac Jones' tenure with the Patriots after he was benched again during their loss to the Colts. He's thrown for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season.

Whether or not Belichick is going out the door with Jones is a completely different discussion. But regardless of who's making the decision for the Patriots, if Maye is there when they're picking in the 2024 NFL Draft, they shouldn't hesitate to turn in the draft card with his name on it.