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The New England Patriots are tipping their hand hours earlier than the 2024 NFL draft, in response to Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports activities Boston.
Curran reported Thursday the Patriots are anticipated to pick North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye with the No. 3 choose until one other crew “makes them a proposal they only cannot refuse.” He cited the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants particularly as prospects.
NFL insider Jordan Schultz added the Giants have been making a play for the No. 3 choose in hopes of touchdown Maye:
Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report
The #Giants have been attempting to commerce as much as No. 3 with the #Patriots, with the idea being they need UNC QB Drake Maye, in response to a number of league sources.
The prevailing perception is it is a lengthy shot to occur — however New England is listening to all calls. pic.twitter.com/gezy1er4W6
Leaking this now is a bit of a leverage play by New England. If the Vikings or Giants covet Maye, they know what it will take to get him.
For the Pats, it helps that they probably aren’t bluffing.
Maye is the No. 3 overall player on Bleacher Report’s final big board and was projected to land in New England with the third choose in B/R’s last mock.
“Merely put, as one Patriots supply mentioned late final week, ‘you possibly can’t win and not using a quarterback'” Reiss wrote. “[Head coach Jerod] Mayo and a few prime decision-makers have privately acknowledged that their legacies can be tied to no matter they resolve at quarterback.”
There isn’t any larger want for New England than quarterback going into the draft. After buying and selling Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the crew is for now Jacoby Brissett or Bailey Zappe because the starter in 2024. Neither is someone you’d anticipate to assist lead a significant rebuild.
Buying and selling again would enable for Mayo and director of scouting Eliot Wolf to strengthen extra areas of the roster, and Maye is not thought of the sort of can’t-miss prospect who’s a surefire lock to emerge as a perennial Professional Bowler.
However the Patriots higher be getting a king’s ransom within the occasion they transfer out of the No. 3 spot.