Patriots Rumors: Drake Maye Not Seen as 2024 NFL Draft Lock If NE Keeps No. 3 Pick

The New England Patriots are not a lock to draft North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye if they keep the No. 3 pick in Thursday's draft, according to CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.

"I have yet to speak to someone in the league who believes strongly Maye will be the Patriots' pick," Jones wrote. "More than anything, most seem to be assuming he's the pick.

"New England can absolutely explore a trade down, but one source said it 'would take a massive offer' for de facto GM Eliot Wolf to move out."

If the Patriots draft Maye, he could potentially sit behind eight-year vet Jacoby Brissett for a year as New England sets up a rebuild, Jones noted.

New England could alternatively consider drafting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, whom NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported met with the Patriots earlier this month after the team hosted Maye.

The Chicago Bears have long been expected to draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick, while recent insider consensus pegs LSU's Jayden Daniels as a likely choice by the Washington Commanders at No. 2.

The latest 2024 NFL Mock Draft from the B/R NFL Scouting Department projects Maye going to the Patriots at No. 3, and the Minnesota Vikings trading up to No. 5 in order to snag McCarthy.

McCarthy's draft stock has been rising since his strong Pro Day and his receiving praise from new Los Angeles Chargers coach and former Michigan leader Jim Harbaugh.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said last week on The Rich Eisen Show that "many" NFL teams are "going to be shocked if he doesn't go in the top six."

If the Patriots believe McCarthy could be their quarterback of the future, it could influence the team to stick with the No. 3 pick despite de facto GM Eliot Wolf's recent statement that New England is "open for business" regarding a potential trade.

Wolf's decision could also be influenced by what compensation the Patriots are being offered for the pick.

An AFC executive recently told Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein they believe the minimum for a trade should be "three first-rounders and a player," and the Patriots may not have received a proposition on that level yet. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that New England so far had not received "the right offer."

There remains little consensus on what the Patriots will do with their pick. Whichever decision New England makes will likely determine how the rest of the first round shakes out.