The New England Patriots are considering their options for the upcoming draft. They might decide to collect more draft picks if they find the top three quarterback prospects unappealing.
Eliot Wolf, the key figure in the Patriots’ roster decisions, faces a crucial choice with the third overall pick.
The Minnesota Vikings’ recent move to secure an additional first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft has fueled speculation. They might be planning to climb up from their current 11th draft position.
The Patriots emerge as a potential trading partner for the Vikings. After losing Kirk Cousins to free agency, the Vikings are on the hunt for a new quarterback. Holding the No. 3 pick, the Patriots are in a prime spot, as it’s widely anticipated that quarterbacks will dominate the early selections.
The Patriots themselves are in search of a quarterback for the long haul. They parted ways with Mac Jones and brought in Jacoby Brissett on a one-year contract.
However, the Patriots have other gaps in their lineup that need attention, especially on offense. This need persists despite a quiet free agency period. Before this, there was already speculation that the team might trade down from the No. 3 spot, given their limited draft picks in the first five rounds.
Trading down from the No. 3 pick isn’t unprecedented. Since 2000, it has happened five times.
Let’s examine those past trades to gauge what the Patriots might expect this year.
In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Vikings moved down one spot, allowing the Browns to pick Trent Richardson. In return, Minnesota received picks in the fourth, fifth, and seventh rounds.
This year, the Cardinals, holding the fourth pick, might want to move up. However, they don’t need a quarterback. They might be motivated to secure a top receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr. The trade value charts suggest the Patriots could get slightly more from the Cardinals than the Vikings did in 2012.
The Miami Dolphins made a significant trade in 2013, moving up to pick Dion Jordan. They traded their No. 12 pick and a second-rounder to the Raiders for the No. 3 pick.
The Denver Broncos, also eyeing a quarterback, might find it challenging to match the value needed to move up to No. 3, as they lack a second-round pick this year.
The 2018 draft saw the Jets move up to pick a quarterback, trading with the Colts. They gave up two second-round picks that year and a second-rounder the following year.
The Giants, needing a quarterback, might be willing to trade up from the sixth pick. They’ve already traded their second-rounder this year but still have a second-round pick from a previous deal.
The Texans’ trade last year to move up and select Will Anderson, not a quarterback, might not provide a clear precedent for this year’s draft.
The 49ers’ trade in 2021 to draft Trey Lance might set the benchmark for the Patriots. They received the No. 12 pick, two future first-rounders, and a third-rounder.
The Eagles’ 2016 trade to draft Carson Wentz might interest the Falcons. Despite signing Cousins, they might look to the future. This deal could offer the Patriots significant value.
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