The New England Patriots are meticulously preparing for their No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, with both Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels on their radar.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer reports that the Patriots welcomed North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye for an official top-30 visit on Friday. In a few days, they're set to invite LSU signal-caller Jayden Daniels to Foxboro for his own top-30 visit on Monday, according to NFL Network's' Ian Rapoport.
Despite the recent signing of veteran Jacoby Brissett in free agency, many insiders believe the Patriots will opt for a quarterback with their top-three selection. With the Chicago Bears almost certain to snap up USC's Caleb Williams as the first overall pick and the Washington Commanders expected to choose a signal-caller as No. 2 overall, it's unclear which of the top QB prospects will be available for New England.
The Patriots have been diligent in researching several promising quarterbacks in this year's draft class. They've already met with Maye twice before his top-30 visit this week - once at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and again at his Pro Day at UNC.
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"I was really impressed with them," Maye said of the Patriots at last month's Combine. "Coach Mayo, I first congratulated him. Anytime you become a new head coach is a pretty cool experience. So, just being in there, and New England is obviously a great sports town, and to meet with them, I thought it went well. I think New England's a great spot."
Daniels also had interactions with the Patriots' top brass at the Combine and on his Pro Day at LSU. The 23 year old quarterback has been busy, meeting or planning to meet with several teams including the Commanders, Giants, Broncos, Vikings, and Raiders.
"It was good," Daniels remarked about his Combine chat with the Patriots. "To be able to put a name to a face. It was great to talk and get to know them."
The Patriots held a top-30 visit with Drake Maye on Friday (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)With Williams leading the pack, Maye and Daniels are hotly tipped as the next-best quarterback prospects in this year's draft, and their records speak volumes. Last season, Maye threw for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions for the Tar Heels, despite a slight dip from his previous year's performance.
Daniels, on the other hand, racked up an impressive 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and a mere four interceptions in 2023, not to mention his ground game, with 1,134 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, that helped him clinch the Heisman award.
New England is also rumoured to be hosting a Top 30 visit from Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, following their meetings with other quarterbacks. The 21 year old has been climbing the draft boards of pundits recently, but being picked at No. 3 overall might be a stretch.
Whispers around the league suggest that Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf has developed a fondness for McCarthy, potentially leading to an unexpected early pick in the draft.
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