The New England Patriots have undergone some major changes in the 2024 NFL offseason. They moved on from legendary head coach Bill Belichick, replacing him with his defensive coordinator, Jerod Mayo.
One of the first orders of business for Mayo and the new front office group will be figuring out the quarterback position. The Patriots have floundered under center since Tom Brady opted to leave in free agency in 2020, joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Replacing a player as good as Brady certainly isn’t easy, but the Buccaneers proved it was at least possible as Baker Mayfield stepped in and played well after his retirement in 2024. The Patriots have had no such luck, as Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe have all failed to step up as their starting quarterback.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Jefferson, 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots Updates
That could all change in the 2024 NFL Draft. New England is slated to be on the clock at No. 3, putting them in a prime position for a top quarterback prospect. One of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels is guaranteed to be on the board when it is their turn to pick.
Will the Patriots stay at that selection? There are plenty of teams that will be looking to move up the board with quarterback concerns of their own. As shared by NBC Sports Boston, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowley believes one of those teams could be the Minnesota Vikings.
Putting two and two together, NFL analyst and radio host Colin Cowherd came up with a mock trade idea between the Patriots and Vikings. He suggested Minnesota offer their first-round pick, No. 11 overall, a 2025 first-round pick and star wide receiver Justin Jefferson in exchange for the No. 3 pick.
That would be a monster deal for both sides. The only way the Patriots would seemingly consider a deal like this is if they find a suitable stopgap veteran in free agency or the new staff changes course and commits to Jones as the starter.
NFL News & Rumors: Justin Jefferson, 2024 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots Updates
Trading the No. 3 pick without an answer at quarterback would be extremely risky for the Patriots. But, the opportunity to add a talent such as Jefferson at another position of need could be too much to pass up regardless.
Jefferson has cemented himself as the best wide receiver in the NFL. New England has been desperate for playmakers for a while now and you aren’t going to do better than him. Acquiring him, along with a future first-round pick, could be enough to get a deal done.
Armed with the extra first-round pick in 2025, the Patriots would have some maneuverability moving forward. Should a veteran quarterback want a change of scenery, they have the ammo to make a deal. If there’s a top prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, New England would have the assets to move up the board.
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