Patriots Rumors: Some in Jayden Daniels' Camp Hope Team Doesn't Pick QB in 2024 Draft

The New England Patriots are widely expected to take a quarterback with the No. 3 pick in next month's NFL draft.

Some in Jayden Daniels' camp are reportedly hoping that's not him.

Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston reported some people close to Daniels "would really rather he not come to New England" due to the harsh winter weather.

Daniels later pushed back on that report in a post on X:

Daniels grew up in San Bernardino, California, before playing college football at Arizona State and LSU, so he does not have much experience playing in colder weather. Chad Graff of The Athletic reported some scouts have expressed concern about Daniels' 210-pound frame, but the Patriots have no issues with his hand size, which comes in at a middling 9 5/8 inches.

Most consider Daniels the QB3 in the 2024 draft class behind USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye. The B/R Scouting Department's latest mock draft has Daniels going No. 3 overall behind Williams and Maye.

Daniels could have attempted to push himself up draft boards at the scouting combine but chose not to work out. He will instead showcase his talent at LSU's pro day later this month.

The Patriots are seeking a franchise quarterback at the same time they're looking to undo a draft gaffe that transpired the last time they rolled the dice on Tom Brady's replacement.

Mac Jones is almost certainly leaving New England this offseason after three disappointing years under center. The team benched its 2021 first-round pick last season in favor of Bailey Zappe, who did not fare much better.

Drafting a quarterback at No. 3 would be a clear and definitive sign the franchise is moving on from the Bill Belichick era. The odds are, at this point, that quarterback will be Daniels—even if it's not necessarily the best on-paper fit.