The New England Patriots are considering various options regarding the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, with de facto general manager Eliot Wolf expressing openness to a range of possibilities. In a recent conversation with reporters, Wolf, who has assumed a leading role in the Patriots’ personnel department following the dismissal of Bill Belichick and the appointment of Jerod Mayo as head coach, emphasized his eagerness for more draft picks. The team currently holds eight selections, including the third pick, No. 34 overall, and No. 68 at the start of the third round.
Addressing the team’s pressing need for a quarterback, among other positions, Wolf reiterated the Patriots’ philosophy as a “draft-and-develop” organization, underscoring the importance of accumulating picks for their roster-building strategy. The Patriots’ decision to seek a new quarterback stems in part from the perceived failure to fully develop Mac Jones, the team’s 2021 first-round pick who was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason after 42 starts. Wolf emphasized the team’s readiness to explore all options, including trading up or down in the draft, based on the opportunities presented by the draft board.
In preparation for the draft, the Patriots have signed Jacoby Brissett as a temporary solution at quarterback while showing interest in several top quarterback prospects, including Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, Drake Maye, and Michael Penix. Wolf highlighted the positive feedback received from teammates and coaches regarding the top six quarterbacks on the team’s draft board, emphasizing their leadership qualities and character.
Reflecting on past quarterback selections, including Jones and Bailey Zappe, who was drafted in 2022 and started games toward the end of the 2023 season, Wolf acknowledged the team’s commitment to Zappe amid a transition to a new system following Bill O’Brien’s departure. Zappe, who will turn 25 during the draft, is expected to remain with the team through at least training camp, unless the Patriots opt to draft two quarterbacks or acquire one through a trade.
