Beat writer shares update on Patriots' draft plans

Many remain unsure what the New England Patriots will do with the third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Beat writer Chris Mason of MassLive has routinely predicted New England will grab a quarterback at No. 3 in the draft order. In a mailbag published on Friday, he told readers they shouldn't "take it terribly seriously" whenever they see or hear takes claiming the Patriots could trade the draft selection for multiple assets. 

"I think they want to take a quarterback at No. 3 overall, but they’re keeping their options open in case someone blows them away with a 'Godfather offer,'" Mason said about the Patriots. "That’s just good business. There are so many holes on this roster that it’d make little sense to trudge forward with blinders on." 

As recently as Thursday, NFL senior writer Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic said his "opinion is that the Patriots need to move off No. 3 and make sure they’re ready for a rookie quarterback next year." Baumgardner also suggested New England could accept choices No. 11 and No. 23 this year and a 2025 third-round selection from the Minnesota Vikings for the third pick.

In that same Athletic piece, Patriots insider Chad Graff responded that New England probably would want three first-round picks for the third overall choice. Graff added that the Patriots may wait until April 25 to see if the quarterback they "favor" falls to No. 3. 

The identity of that signal-caller remains unknown to everybody outside the Patriots. New England head coach Jerod Mayo spoke glowingly about North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye at the NFL league meetings this week, and Bernd Buchmasser of Pats Pulpit noted that Maye said on Thursday he's had "great" conversations with people within the Patriots during the draft process. 

However, LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels has repeatedly been linked with the Patriots, assuming the Washington Commanders don't take Daniels with the second pick. Some believe Michigan Wolverines star J.J. McCarthy could become the draft's second or third pick.

While there remains plenty of time for a so-called "Godfather offer" to emerge, Mason sounds convinced any chatter about the Patriots moving off pick No. 3 is little more than a smokescreen.