Patriots have reportedly not ‘shown an appetite’ for trading No. 3 pick
New England is currently projected to take quarterback Drake Maye.
As NFL teams assess the potential market for trading up in the 2024 draft, it appears the top three teams aren’t interested in selling. At least, not at the moment.
Following quarterback trades made by the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots so far in the offseason, all three teams (which hold the top three picks, respectively) are considered heavy favorites to use those spots to select replacements at the critical position.
According to Sports Illustrated NFL reporter Albert Breer, the Patriots are included in the group of teams at the top of the first round that are not seriously shopping their pick. In part of a discussion about Michigan quarterback prospect J.J. McCarthy, Breer gave an overview.
“Assuming the Bears, Commanders and Patriots stay put and draft quarterbacks—zero of the three have shown an appetite for trading one of those picks—McCarthy is not just worthy of being, at worst, the fourth QB off the board, but maybe someone worth moving up for,” wrote Breer.
This could have major implications for the teams slated to draft right after New England. The Cardinals (fourth overall, Chargers (fifth), and Giants (sixth) could become the primary points of negotiation for teams looking to move up in the first round.
Still, Breer acknowledged that the Patriots could spring a surprise, albeit with who is picked rather than a possible trade.
“Maybe Washington or New England pulls a shocker and takes McCarthy over one or both, but, for now, any team investigating a trade up to No. 4 or 5 with the Cardinals or Chargers has to be comfortable with McCarthy,” noted Breer, “as well as the other two, since there’s no guarantee of anything past the likelihood Williams won’t be there.”
Currently, a majority of mock drafts project that Washington will select 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels out of LSU second (after, as Breer noted, the Bears pick 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams first overall).
Regarding the Patriots, the consensus of mock drafts currently has New England drafting Drake Maye from North Carolina.
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