Following a notably quiet start to the NFL offseason for the Patriots, where they missed out on notable signings such as Calvin Ridley and Keenan Allen, it’s undeniable that New England is now commanding significant attention in the league. Holding the third pick, with the Bears and Commanders set in their positions, all eyes are on the Patriots’ next move.
The straightforward and logical choice would be to retain the No. 3 spot and select the best available quarterback. Assuming Caleb Williams is taken first overall, options like Jayden Daniels from LSU or Drake Maye from North Carolina could be on the table for the Patriots. There’s speculation that Washington might surprise by selecting JJ McCarthy from Michigan at No. 2, leaving the Patriots with a choice between Daniels and Maye.
However, the Patriots’ offense currently lacks sufficient talent, particularly in the wide receiver corps and offensive line. Given this situation, it begs the question whether it’s wise for the team to invest in a quarterback when protection and receiving options are lacking.
If the answer is no, ESPN suggests an alternative: trading the pick to the quarterback-needy Vikings.
Patriots Could Land 3 1st-Rounders From Minnesota
Insider Dan Graziano recently outlined this scenario, delving into potential draft questions for the Vikings. One such question raised was, “What would Minnesota need to offer to trade up?” Currently holding the 11th pick, which isn’t high enough to secure top prospects like Williams, Daniels, Maye, or potentially McCarthy, the Vikings also acquired the 23rd pick from the Texans, indicating their intent to move up in the draft.
Graziano proposed a straightforward solution for the Patriots:
“At No. 3, the New England Patriots: The Vikings offer picks No. 11 and No. 23, along with a first-round pick in 2025, in exchange for the No. 3 pick.
“This deal presents a clear exchange—three first-round picks for the Patriots’ potential quarterback of the future, whoever they select at No. 3. It would provide the Patriots with significant draft capital to fuel their rebuilding efforts. Furthermore, they could still navigate the first round this year to find a quarterback, if they favor one outside the top three, or strategize to dominate next year’s draft, possibly securing the best quarterback from the 2025 class.”
