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Welcome to Potential Patriots!
Each day leading up to the NFL Draft on April 25, the Herald will introduce prospects the Patriots are likely targeting position by position. The Pats have eight picks this year, starting at No. 3 overall, their highest selection in decades. As for their other picks, the Patriots are expected to address offensive tackle and wide receiver, though they could pad their depth at virtually any position.
Below is a breakdown of the Patriots’ best prospect fits at quarterback:
Day 1
Drake Maye, North Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6-4, 223
Projected round: 1st
Scouting report: A prototypical prospect, Maye possess all of the timeless and modern tools required of franchise quarterbacks. He’s accurate, tough and decisive. He can make every throw, both on and off-platform. He protects the ball well, too, despite a reputation for reckless play, and impressed teams during the pre-draft process.
“Look, Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said at the owners’ meetings. “He brings a lot of energy, you can tell he has that leadership ability. And also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye is the ceiling. Like, there really is no ceiling with a guy like that.”
Mayo also noted the Patriots must be wary of Maye’s floor. Part of that calculation will be deciding whether coaches can rein him in, as a young Josh Allen was in Buffalo, or playing superhero is part of Maye’s competitive DNA. Otherwise, assuming he tightens up his occasionally sloppy footwork, everything about Maye screams future star.
Jayden Daniels, LSU
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 210
Projected round: 1st
Scouting report: The record-setting Heisman Trophy winner throws the prettiest deep ball in this class, and may be the most accurate quarterback, too. Need more?
Daniels runs with blazing speed, which fundamentally changes how defenses must account for him. There’s no doubt he benefitted from throwing to a couple first-round receivers, but scouts rave about Daniels’ potential in the pros. He’s a playmaker, with his arm and his legs, and a highly polished one at that.
J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 219
Projected round: 1st
Scouting report: Sharp, accurate and tough as they come.
McCarthy is this year’s late riser, a slightly undersized passer and loose thrower who can rip the ball whenever necessary. He is also one of the best athletes at his position, and its most proven winner. McCarthy’s detractors point to a limited sample of throws against elite competition and poor numbers against tight coverage and on deeper sideline throws.
But at this stage, there’s no doubt: the 21-year-old McCarthy will be a first-round pick. If the Patriots trade back from No. 3 overall, don’t rule out a possible trade back up to get this Michigan man.
J.J. McCarthy scouting report: What NFL scouts, film, stats say about potential Patriots QB
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Day 2
Bo Nix
Ht/Wt: 6-2, 215
Projected round: 2nd
Scouting report: Sticking with the possibility the Patriots might trade back, Nix projects as their best option in the second round at No. 34 overall.
Nix threw for 45 touchdowns and three interceptions at the controls of Oregon’s explosive offense last season. He was a five-year starter between the Ducks and his time at Auburn. Nix doesn’t wow in any particular area or with any one trait, but he boasts a strong arm and dangerous scrambling ability. There’s enough here for a middle-of-the-pack starter down the road.
Day 3
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6-1, 211
Projected round: 6th-7th
Scouting report: With Jacoby Brissett serving as the Patriots’ bridge starter and a highly drafted rookie presumably on board, the Patriots may look to add a future backup on Day 3 of the draft. Enter Hartman.
Hartman was voted a captain at Notre Dame during his only season as the starter in South Bend, when he also completed 63.5% of his passes for 2,689 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Hartman is smart, tough and highly experienced, with 57 career starts in college. His arm strength doesn’t wow, but neither does Bailey Zappe’s, and a solid training camp might allow Hartman to one day bump Zappe out of the quarterbacks room.
Carter Bradley, South Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6-3, 213
Projected round: 6th-7th
Scouting report: Like Hartman, Bradley is another multi-year college starter well-regarded for his accuracy and smarts. He’s bigger and stronger than Hartman, with more sporadic tape. If drafted, the Patriots would be betting on Bradley’s pedigree, as the son of an NFL coach (Colts defensive coordinator Gus Bradley), and that offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt could smooth out some mechanical issues as he makes the jump from the FCS to the NFL.
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