Franchise QB: Patriots Select Upgrade For Mac, Zappe in New Mock Draft

In CBS' latest NFL Mock Draft, the New England Patriots select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick.

There are varied opinions on the future of Bill Belichick. Will he be fired by the New England Patriots? Come to a mutual parting with owner Robert Kraft? Could he simply quit? Or even be traded?

Likewise, there is no consensus opinion about who the Patriots will select in April's NFL Draft.

Without knowing exactly who will be coaching the team in 2024, it's impossible to know which direction New England will go with the No. 3 overall pick, or which position it will prioritize. Nonetheless, mock draft season is already heating up.

FanStreamSports.com

This week, Bleacher Report had the Patriots bypassing a quarterback and instead taking Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt. But in the latest mock by CBS, they do no such thing ... instead grabbing North Carolina's Drake Maye.

CBS projects the Washington Commanders - who also will have a new coach by the time they are on the clock - to trade up from the No. 2 spot into the top slot in order to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams. The Chicago Bears, moving down one spot, decide to pair quarterback Justin Fields with a receiving weapon in Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr.

That leaves the Pats to select Maye, and hopefully upgrade the position over Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pass on QB at No. 3?!

Says CBS of the pick:

"The Patriots cannot come out of this draft without a quarterback. Drake Maye could push Caleb Williams for QB1, depending on the team - and Jayden Daniels could be in the QB2 conversation, too. This QB class is deep at the top, so different teams will have different favorites."

---