Top NFL Draft Prospects Patriots Must Watch During 2023-24 CFB Bowl Season

With a historically bad offense and a 2-10 record on the season, New England Patriots fans haven't had much fun watching their team.

The 2023 season has become a new low point in the franchise's modern era. After six Super Bowls under Bill Belichick's watch, the bottom has finally fallen out and the Pats are left looking toward the 2024 draft as a potential turning point for the roster.

If the season were to end today, the Patriots would be picking second overall with three picks in the Top 100.

Fortunately for Patriots fans, college football's bowl season kicks off December 16 which should give them plenty of opportunity to scout out prospects they'd like to target in the spring.

Some stars like Caleb WIlliams have already opted out of their bowl game, but there are still plenty of other prospects to watch. Here are some names the Patriots faithful should be watching.

QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

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Drake Maye

Bowl Game: Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. West Virginia on December 27 at 5:30 p.m. ET

Even if the Patriots make major changes on the offense, it's hard to envision a path back to start Mac Jones at quarterback in 2024. It's likely that first draft pick will be spent on a quarterback.

Caleb Williams might have opted out, but Drake Maye has not made the same decision. Williams is considered by many to be the top quarterback prospect and a presumptive No. 1 pick.

Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen actually has a higher grade on Maye, though. Our scouting department ranked Maye as the top quarterback and also gave him "Most Accurate" and "Most Pro-Ready" superlatives in our latest big board.

Maye could opt out of the bowl and stand on what he's done already. The 6'4", 230-pounder has demonstrated NFL skills while racking up 8,018 passing yards and 63 touchdowns through the air while rushing for 1,209 yards and 16 touchdowns in two years as the starter for the Tar Heels.

Still, he's a competitor and the chance to put an exclamation point on his career while putting distance between himself an whoever winds up being the third quarterback in the class.

A matchup against West Virginia will give him the opportunity to show off a bit. The Mountaineers are 70th in the country in yards allowed per pass. If Maye plays, the Patriots could get a fun look at their potential future.

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 25: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball for a touchdown during the second half of a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 30-24 to win the Big Ten East. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)

Bowl Game: Cotton Bowl vs. Missouri on December 29 at 8 p.m. ET

Much like Maye, it's unclear if Marvin Harrison Jr. will play in Ohio State's bowl game. He's already widely viewed as the No. 1 receiver in the draft class and the top prospect overall on our big board.

Whether the Patriots will consider Harrison likely depends on their plan at quarterback. If they have a free agent or trade target in mind to replace Mac Jones, then it would make sense to snag a game-changing wide receiver like Harrison Jr. would make a ton of sense.

Ohio State has developed multiple first-round receivers with Ryan Day as the head coach. Harrison might be the best of a bunch that includes Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njibga.

Harrison has impressed just about everyone with his productive career for the Buckeyes. Here's B/R scout Derrik Klassen on Harrison's outlook:

"Harrison is a slam-dunk prospect. He is a twitched-up athlete with polished route-running ability and elite ball skills. It's so easy to see how his game translates right away. Harrison would be an instant No. 1 WR for most offenses."

He's the kind of alpha wide receiver that the Patriots haven't had in a while. If the Pats have an alternative way to find a quarterback than Harrison would be worth the early pick.

WR Ja'Lynn Polk, Washington

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 11: Ja'Lynn Polk #2 of the Washington Huskies in action during the fourth quarter against the Utah Utes at Husky Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. The Washington Huskies won 35-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Bowl Game: Sugar Bowl vs. Texas on January 1 at 8:45 p.m. ET

If the Patriots decide to draft a quarterback with their first pick, the work won't be done to build the offense. You don't just get to the offensive ineptitude the Pats have displayed this season because of bad quarterback play. They desperately need more weapons.

As the Panthers have shown this season, it's difficult to ask a young quarterback to come in and perform when the receiving corps is not very good.

A lot of the best receievers in the draft will probably be gone by the time the Patriots get back on the clock early in the second round. Fortunately, it's a deep class so someone like Ja'Lynn Polk could wind up being there when the Patriots pick.

The 6'2", 204-pound receiver has a good frame and has been a high-end No. 2 in Washington's explosive offense. Here's how B/R scout Derrik Klassen sees Polk in his scouting report:

"Polk is a ball-winning No. 2 WR in the NFL. He can dunk on DBs down the field and in the red zone, as well as serve as an underneath bully type on the outside to help move the chains. Polk may not be the star in an NFL offense, but he can be a reliable high-level contributor."

Patriots fans can watch Polk do his thing on the biggest stage when the Huskies take on the Texas Longhorn in the College Football Playoff on January 1.