Ian Rapoport explained the message the Patriots could send with draft decision on No. 3 pick
"If you hit it right, you're good for 15 years."
The Patriots’ decision with the No. 3 pick: After a disastrous 2023 season in which the Patriots finished with the team’s worst record in decades, the consolation prize (as it always is in North American sports) is the correspondingly high draft pick.
New England will have the third selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team’s highest pick since drafting Drew Bledsoe first overall in 1993. Given the sea change moment within the organization — Bill Belichick’s departure in January after almost a quarter century — the pick will also represent a high-profile opportunity for the Patriots to reinvigorate the roster.
Exactly what the decision will be remains to be seen. The Patriots have been busily reconfiguring the front office, and most likely still have many days to go before reaching anything close to a verdict on what might happen with the third pick.
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport offered an educated guess during a recent interview with 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” on Wednesday.
“My guess right now would be take the best quarterback available,” Rapoport said of New England’s options. Currently, three quarterbacks rank near the top of the NFL draft board. Caleb Williams, from USC, is so far the frontrunner, with UNC’s Drake Maye and Heisman Trophy-winner Jayden Daniels (from LSU) ranking behind Williams.
Still, in Rapoport’s opinion, even if there are non-quarterback prospects that rank higher than either Maye or Daniels, the Patriots would be smart to not miss a chance at taking a quarterback.
“You just take him,” said Rapoport of the quarterback option. “If you’re taking a quarterback at three who you think is like [the 10th pick], just take him. Somebody’s going to take him. Just take a franchise guy. You hope you hit it right. If you hit it right, you’re good for 15 years.
“They’re not all like Tom Brady, but if you get a franchise guy, you’re good forever. You’re the Houston Texans,” Rapoport added, referencing Houston’s successful decision to select C.J. Stroud in 2023.
Beyond a specific player, Rapoport also explained how the Patriots’ decision will demonstrate where the organization thinks it is.
“To me, if you’re not going to take [a quarterback], then it’s acknowledgement that, one, we may be back here, which is not great,” he said. “And two, we are not even ready to build properly, which is OK, I just don’t think that’s where this organization is.”
In his view, the Patriots aren’t far from being a competitive team again (hence his advice to pick a quarterback).
When the draft day arrives on April 25, Rapoport believes the Patriots’ decision will be a statement, one way or the other.
“That decision is going to be really interesting, because let’s say they take an offensive tackle. Then you’re like, ‘We are building,'” said Rapoport. “And I don’t know that people build for the long haul anymore, but that’s what that would say.”
Trivia: The NFL moved to the now familiar seven-round draft format in 1994. In the final year before the switch, the Patriots drafted a player in the eighth round who eventually helped New England win three Super Bowls (making the Pro Bowl in 2001). Name that player.
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was drafted out of Marshall, and only played for New England during his NFL career.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics got a 125-117 win over the Hawks on Wednesday. Kristaps Porzingis led Boston with 31 points.
Today, Celtics fans will also be eagerly watching for any updates on the NBA trade deadline, which arrives at 3 p.m.
Tonight, the Bruins host the Canucks at 7 p.m.
Tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., the Celtics will be back in action against the Wizards at TD Garden.
More from Boston.com:
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A trade deadline update: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski provided an update late on Wednesday about where various teams stand ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
On this day: In 1975, the Celtics defeated the Knicks 128-102. Dave Cowens led Boston with 31 points.
The Bruins also got a win, with Phil Esposito ripping the Red Wings for four goals in an 8-5 win.
Daily highlight: Jaylin Williams threw down an emphatic dunk in Auburn’s big win over rival Alabama on Wednesday in men’s college basketball.
Trivia answer: Troy Brown
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