In less than two weeks, speculation over which quarterback will be available to the Patriots at No. 3 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft will finally be over.
Here’s a latest look at how we could see the Patriots’ draft shaking out from April 25-27.
Since our last mock draft, the Boston Herald did deep dives on Maye and fellow top quarterbacks LSU’s Jayden Daniels and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy.
What we found: Maye is the best choice for the Patriots. He has the biggest arm among top quarterbacks, and while he might not have Daniels’ pure athleticism, his 6-foot-4, 223-pound frame is ideal at the pro level. He also has plenty of mobility to extend plays in the pocket and make plays downfield on designed runs and scrambles.
As part of our deep dive series, we combined accuracy percentage, big-time throw rate, turnover-worthy play rate, average depth of target, run grade and expected points added (EPA) per play into one metric. Maye ranked second among the top 16 QBs behind Daniels. So, Maye’s draft stock isn’t purely based on potential. There’s a case to be made for him based on his metrics, as well.
The UNC product went 269-of-425 for 3,608 yards with 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. He also rushed 92 times for 582 yards with nine more touchdowns.
Daniels has the best downfield accuracy, and McCarthy impressed with his athleticism and off-platform throws, but Maye, who’s just 21 years old, has the highest ceiling and impressed the Patriots in his combine interview.
The Commanders’ plans with the No. 2 overall pick are still unknown. They’ve been tied to Daniels and McCarthy more than Maye. So, it seems relatively likely that Maye will be there for New England with the third overall pick too.
A trade down from No. 34 overall probably wouldn’t make the fanbase happy, but the Patriots need help at wide receiver and offensive tackle, and as of now, the options at the top of the second round don’t seem ideal. So, the Patriots can add a third Day 2 pick, trading No. 34 and their fifth-round pick for the Nos. 47 and 70 picks, while moving down rather than reaching.
Legette, who’s 6-foot-1, 221 pounds, had a phenomenal senior season, playing with QB Spencer Rattler. It is concerning that it took until he was 22 years old as a fifth-year senior to break out.
But the Patriots need an X receiver with a roster loaded with Z and slot receivers, and Legette drew a comp to DK Metcalf from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler. Legette ran a blazing 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. He caught 71 passes for 1,255 yards with seven touchdowns in 2023. He only had two 100-yard (yes, yard) seasons previously.
There’s some risk involved in taking Legette, but the payoff could be big.
A popular mock draft target for the Patriots, Paul has tremendous size and athleticism at 6-foot-8, 331 pounds with a 5.17-second 40-yard dash. He started 44 games at left tackle in college, but there are questions about his technique.
He allowed just one sack and nine total pressures in 2023 and five sacks in five seasons.
The Patriots re-signed Josh Uche and Anfernee Jennings this offseason, but Matthew Judon is getting up there in age, and his contract status for the 2024 season remains in limbo.
Trice is 6-foot-4, 259 pounds and ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash. He generated 150 total pressures with 16 sacks over his last two seasons.
Jerry Rice’s youngest son, the USC product allows the Patriots to double up at wide receiver. Brenden Rice gives the Patriots flexibility to play X or Z receiver. He transferred from Colorado, where he was teammates with Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and broke out playing with Caleb Williams in 2023, catching 12 touchdowns.
Rice ran a 4.50-second 40-yard dash with a 6.95-second 3-cone drill during the pre-draft process.
Reiman has tremendous size and athleticism at 6-foot-5, 271 pounds with a 4.64-second 40-yard dash. He caught 39 passes for 377 yards with four touchdowns over his last two seasons.
The Patriots have a major need to fill at left guard, but there are still questions at the OL spots, as well. Keegan started 37 games at left guard in his college career.
Let’s take Wolverines back to back. Barrett is 5-foot-11, 232 pounds and plays a physical style of football. He was a team captain and forced three fumbles as a sixth-year senior in 2023.