The New England Patriots are poised to be one of the most intriguing teams to follow in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Whether they opt to retain or trade the No. 3 overall pick in the first round, their decision could significantly influence the strategies of numerous teams within the top 15 selections.
The most prudent course of action for the Patriots would be to choose a quarterback with the third pick. Given the paramount importance of the quarterback position in football and the evident gap in New England’s roster, while Jacoby Brissett was a notable acquisition in free agency, he does not offer a long-term solution.
In recent months, there has been considerable speculation regarding which quarterback prospect would best suit the Patriots. UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels are frequently projected to be selected by the Patriots in expert NFL mock drafts, and one of them is expected to be available when the Patriots make their pick.
However, another quarterback, Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, has been rapidly gaining momentum on draft boards. According to a recent report by Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, there is significant interest from the Patriots in McCarthy.
Pauline stated in his latest mock draft, published on Monday, that McCarthy going to the Patriots at No. 3 is a possibility: “I’m not sold on McCarthy being a top-10 selection, but the UM signal caller heading to New England was the talk of the pro-day circuit. Acting general manager Eliot Wolf is advocating strongly for McCarthy, believing he possesses as much potential as any quarterback in this draft.”
Is the Patriots’ apparent interest in McCarthy genuine, or is it merely a diversion tactic aimed at misleading other teams? It’s always difficult to discern such intentions, especially in the lead-up to the draft. Nevertheless, the Patriots did dispatch several key figures to observe McCarthy’s performance at his Pro Day last month, including Wolf, head coach Jerod Mayo, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney.
McCarthy boasted an impressive record of 27-1 as Michigan’s starting quarterback over the past two seasons, with a completion rate of 68.3%, 5,680 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, and only nine interceptions. He played a pivotal role in guiding the Wolverines to an undefeated 15-0 season and a national championship victory last year, marking the program’s first since 1997.
Despite his accomplishments, McCarthy remains a divisive figure in this year’s draft class. While he performed admirably for the Wolverines, Michigan’s offense heavily relied on the running game, alleviating some of the pressure on McCarthy compared to other quarterbacks in contention. Additionally, he lacks the athleticism of Daniels and the passing prowess of Maye.
However, McCarthy’s clutch performances against top-tier opponents last season should not be overlooked. Michigan’s victories over Ohio State, Alabama, and Washington in their last three games came against formidable opponents.
Maye stands out among the top quarterback prospects for his exceptional blend of talent, size, athleticism, and leadership (excluding the likely No. 1 pick, Caleb Williams). Passing up on the former UNC standout to select McCarthy would be a risky move for the Patriots, who cannot afford to make a mistake with the No. 3 overall pick.