We can’t get enough 2024 NFL Draft rumors. One day, there’s talk about J.J. McCarthy going No. 2 overall, and the next, it’s the Minnesota Vikings trading up to the third overall pick with the New England Patriots.

This time of year, we have to filter out the good with the bad because the smokescreens are as thick as ever. Chances are, the Patriots will draft a quarterback to compete with Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe, but it may not be with the third overall pick.

New England Patriots may be waiting to see which QB is left before trade decision

Despite likely holding discussions with several teams, the Patriots haven’t traded down yet. If such a move comes, it’s more likely to happen on draft day, and it could be dependent on which quarterback is available between Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye.

“I think the Patriots are in an interesting spot, because the Bears at least know what they’re looking at, and the Patriots don’t yet. So let’s say they like one of, or two of the top four quarterbacks, but not three, then would they entertain a trade out. The Vikings have been linked to Drake Maye for obvious reasons, Josh McCown’s on that staff, he coached Drake in high school, Drake played with his son, so they’ve known eachother going back a lot of years. So if it went Jayden at two, and the Patriots weren’t in love with Drake at three, I think they would entertain a move out. I don’t know they might be head over heels for Drake, it’s possible. I still think the likelihood is that they’ll take a quarterback at three.”

Albert Breer discussing New England Patriots on Rich Eisen Show

Breer’s scenario makes a lot of sense. While all the talk is centered on Daniels, Maye, and McCarthy being potential top-four picks, each team has its own draft board. This means some prospects are graded much higher than others, which could even include some teams placing a second-round grade on a player another team views as a top-three pick.

We don’t know who the Patriots prefer, and maybe the front office holds each of the top four quarterbacks in a very high regard. But they do have other needs to keep in mind, including finding a star receiver. There’s also the possibility that the Patriots like a second-tier prospect like Michael Penix Jr., whose stock may be on the rise after his Washington Pro Day.

Trading down with the Vikings, drafting Penix at 11, and selecting a receiver at 23 could make more sense for the Patriots if Maye or the other QBs available aren’t players the front office is high on. Not to mention, they’d also likely have the Vikings’ first-round pick in 2025 to show for it, plus a QB of the future and a new potential No. 1 or 2 wideout. Not a bad haul.