NFL Draft Rumors: Patriots Won't Make Trade Decision Until They're 'On the Clock'

The New England Patriots are prepared to wait until the last moment when it comes to potentially trading the No. 3 overall selection, according to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.

Jeremiah reported at the 5:33 mark of Green Light with Chris Long the Pats have indicated to other teams "we're not doing anything now; we'll see when we get on the clock."

New England is sitting in a strong position heading into the draft.

It's picking third in a year where there are three — perhaps four depending on your opinion of Michigan's J.J. McCarthy — quarterbacks who have separated themselves from the pack. Head coach Jerod Mayo and director of scouting Eliot Wolf have a straightforward path to replacing Mac Jones after trading him to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Patriots could choose instead to move back and focus on making other improvements to a roster that still has plenty of holes. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Monday there's some belief they could trade out of the No. 3 pick and make another deal in short order like the Arizona Cardinals did before taking Paris Johnson Jr. sixth overall in 2023.

Schefter added the Minnesota Vikings, who are on the clock at No. 11, are at least one team that has pursued possible trade avenues.

For now, the signs continue to point toward the Patriots opting for the path of least resistance. Mike Reiss of ESPN reported Sunday the "most likely scenario" is them keeping their pick and going with McCarthy, LSU's Jayden Daniels or North Carolina's Drake Maye.

From Wolf's perspective, there's nothing to lose by weighing all of the options right up until the point they need to inform commissioner Roger Goodell of their decision.