This month’s NFL Draft holds significant importance for the New England Patriots, especially as they possess the No. 3 overall pick. This presents an opportunity to acquire a player who could potentially alter the franchise’s trajectory as they navigate their first season without Bill Belichick in over two decades.
Given the prominence of such a high draft position, fans are naturally curious about the Patriots’ plans for Day 1 of the draft. While the team’s need for a quarterback is paramount following Mac Jones’ departure last month, there’s speculation that they might consider selecting a player like Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State or even explore trading the pick for additional assets.
However, recent NFL Draft rumors have centered on the Patriots reportedly targeting a specific quarterback with the third overall pick. Nevertheless, there’s reason to believe that this scenario might be nothing more than a smokescreen.
According to Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline, there’s significant chatter surrounding the possibility of the Patriots drafting Michigan QB JJ McCarthy at No. 3, with de facto general manager Eliot Wolf purportedly advocating strongly for this move.
Earlier assessments had positioned McCarthy as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in this year’s draft class, behind names like Caleb Williams from USC, Jayden Daniels from LSU, and Drake Maye from UNC. However, McCarthy’s stock surged following an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine, leading many experts to project him as a top-10 pick.
While McCarthy’s potential in the NFL is undeniable, it remains unlikely that the Patriots would select him with the third overall pick. Reports earlier in the year suggested that Daniels was the quarterback of interest for the Patriots, with Williams also on their radar. Moreover, recent indications suggest that the Patriots are not particularly keen on drafting Maye.
The Patriots may have leaked this rumor strategically to inflate the value of their draft pick, especially considering the number of quarterback-needy teams in the league. By creating the perception that they are considering McCarthy, the Patriots could prompt interested teams to offer significant trade packages to move up in the draft.
Trading back and acquiring more draft capital could be a shrewd move for the Patriots, providing them with flexibility and options later in the draft. Quarterbacks like Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr., and Spencer Rattler are likely to be available in the latter stages of the first round or beyond, offering the Patriots alternative avenues to address their quarterback situation.
