Patriots Rumors: Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, McCarthy, Nix Met with Team at Combine

The New England Patriots appear to be doing their due diligence with the top quarterbacks available in the 2024 NFL draft.

The Patriots have met with UNC's Drake Maye, LSU's Jayden Daniels, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy and Oregon's Bo Nix at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald.

New England also intends to meet with USC's Caleb Williams, Kyed added.

The Patriots own the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft following a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw them finish with a 4-13 record thanks to a combination of a struggling Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe under center.

However, there have been rumors about the team potentially trading back from No. 3.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport speculated Tuesday that the Patriots could trade back instead of selecting a franchise quarterback.

That said, it's no surprise the Patriots are doing their due diligence on the quarterbacks available in this year's class, especially considering they could use an upgrade at the position.

Williams is widely expected to go No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, and he told ESPN's Pete Thamel that he would be "excited" about joining the franchise as the first player off the board this spring.

The Washington Commanders own the No. 2 overall pick and could also select a quarterback, but any of Maye, Daniels, McCarthy and Nix could be available when the Patriots are on the clock.

Maye would arguably be the most intriguing option for New England.

Bleacher Report's NFL Scouting Department lists Maye as the top quarterback available in the 2024 draft class, topping the likes of Williams and Daniels.

B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen wrote of Maye:

"Maye also has a little bit of Superman Syndrome. There are two or three plays a game where things break down and Maye feels the need to do something outrageous to salvage the play, rather than just move onto the next play or series. You don't want Maye to lose his edge, but some of those plays must be cut out."

"Overall, Maye is a supremely talented passer. He has the athleticism, arm talent and baseline processing skills to become a weapon at the next level. All he needs to do is cut out some of the "doing too much" plays. Maye has the skill set to fit in any system and develop into a star."

If both Williams and Maye are off the board by the time the Patriots are on the clock, Daniels would be the best quarterback available.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department has Daniels the No. 3 quarterback available in this year's class, and Klassen wrote of the LSU product:

"Overall, Daniels has an exciting floor as a prospect. He is a veteran-like presence in the pocket, and he's far and away the best athlete in the class at the position. Daniels' average arm talent and inconsistent accuracy may limit his ceiling, but it's hard to imagine him totally flaming out. Daniels would be best in an offense that leans into his rushing ability and vertical passing, similar to Kyler Murray or Jalen Hurts."

If the Patriots trade the No. 3 pick, McCarthy and Nix could still be options for the franchise, though several other teams are also in the quarterback market this spring and New England would risk missing out on their top choices if they move back.