Patriots' Top Hypothetical Trades to Make Splash in 2024 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots are guaranteed to land one of the top three quarterbacks prospects in the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 3 pick.

But the franchise could make a massive splash in the draft order if it finds a way to move up to No. 2 in a deal with the Washington Commanders.

The No. 1 overall pick appears to be off limits now that the Chicago Bears have a clear path at quarterback to land Caleb Williams.

Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy will be available at No. 2, and if the Patriots are willing to pay a hefty price, they could have their pick of the three.

A more realistic Patriots trade situation involves a move back into the first round to add help for the new quarterback.

New England could dangle the No. 34 overall pick in trade negotiations to jump back into Day 1's proceedings.

Move Up No. 2 to Land Quarterback

John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

BATON ROUGE, LA - NOVEMBER 25: LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) rushes the ball during a game between the Texas A&M Aggies and the LSU Tigers in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on November 25, 2023.(Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

A perfect scenario would have to come about for the Patriots to realistically move up to No. 2.

The biggest factor in this hypothetical would be Washington and New England rating a different quarterback at the top of their draft boards behind Williams.

For example, if New England rated Daniels as its top prospect out of him, Maye and McCarthy, but Washington preferred Maye or McCarthy, a swap could happen.

New England could also move up to prevent Washington from taking its top target, but that would require more work.

New England would have to do a straight pick swap so that Washington would get its quarterback at No. 3.

The Patriots would have to include at least one more high pick, likely from the second or third round, to complete the deal.

A deal with the Commanders may not happen if the Patriots are comfortable with their situation at No. 3, but you can never rule anything out in the NFL draft.

Proposed Trade: New England sends Nos. 3, 68 and 180 picks to Washington for No. 2 pick

Move Back into First Round by Way of Trade with Buffalo

Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Orchard Park, NY - December 31: New England Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott runs in the first half. The Patriots lost to the Buffalo Bills, 27-21. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

The No. 34 overall pick is New England's most valuable asset to get back into the first round.

The Patriots could land a wide receiver or offensive tackle to help the new quarterback with a slide up only a few positions.

The Buffalo Bills may not seem like the ideal trade partner at No. 28, but it makes sense based on what they have in their draft pick pool.

Buffalo does not have a third-round selection. It picks at No. 28 and No. 60 and then not again until No. 128.

The Bills could look to build up some draft capital with higher picks to fill out a depth chart that took a massive hit in free agency.

The Patriots could add in their third-round pick, or their selection at the start of the fourth round, to ensure Buffalo does not get a huge advantage, but also so that they get back into the first round.

Proposed Trade: New England sends Nos. 34, 103 and 193 picks to Buffalo for No. 28 pick

Deal with 49ers to Get Back into First Round

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 17: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and newly appointed head coach Jerod Mayo of the New England Patriots speak to the media during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The back end of the first round is littered with AFC teams.

That could make business tough for the Patriots as they explore a move back into the first round.

Buffalo may be reluctant to deal with the Patriots, even if they could use a few more draft picks, as could the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs.

The San Francisco 49ers might be the ideal trade partner at No. 31 because they are an NFC team and the Patriots would not have to give up too much to go up three places in the draft order.

Of course, any deal back into the first round is dependent on a prospect not lasting until No. 34, which will play out in real time on draft day.

San Francisco owns a ton of picks on Day 3, so it may not demand a hefty return, especially if it gets back the No. 34 pick from the Patriots.

The Patriots have an extra sixth-round pick they can use to sweeten any deal, or they could package another pick to make sure they land a prospect they are high on before the opening night of the draft ends.

Proposed Trade: New England sends Nos. 34 and 137 picks to San Francisco for No. 31 pick