New England Patriots Can’t Balk At Pick Three

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Are the New England Patriots a QB away from contention? Do they even want who’s available? Keep it simple and draft a superstar, no matter the position.

Prepare for the intense sports debate that only sibling rivalry can conjure. Seesaw Sports, where Dan Salem and Todd Salem throw down on the NFL, MLB, NBA and more. Only on BuzzChomp. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate sports.

 

It seems overly likely that the top two picks in the NFL Draft will be two of Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels. That involves Williams coming off the board first, whether going to Chicago or a new team that trades for the slot. And then Washington at two will take their preference of the remaining passers. That leads us into the decision for the New England Patriots at pick three.

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The Patriots need a quarterback, so is this just a layup? They take the third QB available, right? We’re not so sure. First, and most obviously, taking the third QB off the board means you have to settle for whomever is left. It won’t be up to you and it’s just the luck of the draw who remains. Does it make sense to take that guy, whether you think he is a franchise passer or not? Maybe they love the guy sitting at three, but it’s also possible they don’t. How close is this team and who is the best player available outside of QB?

 

New England Patriots Pick Three Dilemma

 

Todd Salem: Can New England Seize Control?

Also factoring into decision this are the rumors that New England is targeting a veteran QB instead and would rather build up the rest of the talent of the roster. There is some logic to this. The Patriots have what could be an elite defense ready to go for 2024. If they add quality pieces to the rest of the offense, including Marvin Harrison Jr. with pick three, and then drop in a veteran QB, this team could plausibly compete right away. 

It would be hard to argue that Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield throwing to Harrison Jr. will make for a better club in 2024 than adding someone like Maye into the fray and seeing what happens. 

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It isn’t that simple, though, as you know. This New England pick really comes down to two divergent team-building theories butting up against each other. Is the franchise QB the first piece, and then everything else can be built off of that, or is having a quality roster necessary for any rookie to find success, and those parts must be built up first?

That would be complicated enough. Heck, Washington and Chicago have that same decision for all intents and purposes. What makes New England uniquely difficult to figure out is that they don’t have their choice of that hypothetical franchise passer. The Pats can only draft whomever is left after picks one and two.

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Does that change the math for you? Obviously, the particulars matter. If a scout definitely thinks all three of these passers are potential franchise guys, New England is simply lumped into the Washington and Chicago bucket. But if there is a drop-off, or I guess to phrase it more accurately, if New England believes there is a drop-off, and the guy left is not at the same level, what do they do?

A lot of people are of the opinion that no one knows who will be a good quarterback. Taking as many stabs at it with quality arms is all you can do. I get that. So is that an argument for taking a QB at three or against…? Perhaps they need to grab the third-best arm and see what happens because it is rare to be in position to do so. Or, perhaps the Patriots could be better served by drafting Harrison, and then drafting a QB at 34 and then maybe another one at 104. The possibilities are endless and endlessly tricky.

 

 

Dan Salem: Patriots Must Rebuild with Stars

The New England Patriots have one thing going for them, which certainly helps make this decision a bit easier. They have time. A rookie head coach and his new coaching staff means time from ownership and time from the fans to build something new and ideally successful. No one expects the Patriots to be competing for the playoffs in 2024, but as you noted, they certainly have enough pieces in place for them to start smelling the conversation. Simply put, in order to decide what to do with the 3rd overall pick, New England must decide how many pieces change their outlook from smelling the playoffs into making the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, they need more than just a quarterback to truly be competitive. This team lacks offensive playmakers. There are no proven wide receivers or tight ends on the team and the running backs that did well last year may have already eclipsed their peak level of production. Is there anything on offense for a rookie quarterback to lean on? It’s not like the offensive line was dominating last year either. New England was the third worst team in the NFL, at times the worst, and heading into 2024 they need a ton of help.

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For argument’s sake, let’s assume the Patriots’ defense is solid and secure. I’m not sure it will be without Belichick, but let’s assume it is. The defense carried this team all the way to the 3rd overall pick in the draft, with a hall of fame coach and with a seasoned quarterback (who stinks, but he does have experience under his belt). All this to say, New England is not going to suddenly win a lot of games with a rookie quarterback, no matter how talented he is. The Patriots must draft the best player available and build around him, not the best quarterback.

Every so often I will go against my philosophy and argue in favor of drafting the next best remaining quarterback, but usually taking the most talented player serves your team the best. Marvin Harrison Jr. is likely a transformative offensive player. I will compare him to Garrett Wilson, who single-handedly helped Zach Wilson win games and likely saved Zach from being benched time after time. Garrett Wilson is why Aaron Rodgers came to the Jets, along with Breece Hall. Marvin Harrison Jr. can do this for New England, giving their offense a player who must be double-teamed. Then you take your quarterback later on and groom him. Never settle in the NFL Draft. There are plenty of desperate quarterbacks out there who can bridge New England for part of, or all of this year. Unless it’s the Patriots who trade up with Chicago, they will be taking Harrison Jr. at number three.

 

Meet our Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

New England Patriots Photo Credits: cbsnews.com and gridironheroics.com via Getty Images

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