If the New England Patriots have a strong interest in one of the top quarterbacks in the draft, ESPN writer Bill Barnwell has proposed a trade scenario involving the Washington Commanders that could be feasible.
In Barnwell’s mock draft, he suggests that the Patriots could trade up to the second overall pick by offering the Commanders their third pick, a 2025 second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick. This move would allow the Patriots to secure their desired quarterback choice, be it Jayden Daniels from LSU or Drake Maye from North Carolina.
Although the trade involves significant draft capital (comparable to what the 49ers gave up for Christian McCaffrey), Barnwell believes it’s a worthwhile investment if it means getting the right quarterback.
Barnwell acknowledges that these trade proposals are speculative and may or may not be realistic for the teams involved. However, it’s possible that the Commanders could benefit the Patriots without the need for such a trade.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Washington recently hosted all four top quarterback prospects for a visit this week. Daniel’s representative, Ron Butler, voiced his discontent about this development on social media Wednesday.
Patriots Still Holding Up Cards Amid Options
Washington’s mistake in handling the situation does not necessarily rule out Daniels as the potential No. 2 pick, and the New England Patriots have not disclosed their leanings for the No. 3 pick, especially regarding their preferred quarterback choice. Patriots’ director of scouting, Eliot Wolf, stated on Thursday that the team is receptive to various possibilities, including moving up or down in the draft.
“We’re open to all options. Whether it’s moving up or down, we are open for business in the first round and every round,” Wolf informed reporters. “We have identified some areas that we need to address through the draft for team development. The more picks we have, the better. However, if an opportunity arises to move up and make a decisive move, we won’t hesitate to seize it if the draft board aligns with it.”
Wolf emphasized the long-term perspective when it comes to selecting a quarterback. “It’s a decision for the future. I would say that’s the best way to describe it,” Wolf explained. “It’s a decision for the long term. We look at the potential of the players not only for our initial pick but for every selection. We assess the draft prospects’ potential and aim to build our team accordingly. We have positions where we need immediate impact players and other areas where we can nurture talent over time.”
“With some positions, we seek immediate contributors, while with others, we focus on developing talent. Regarding our evaluations and rankings, I’d prefer not to delve into that currently, whether it’s for quarterbacks or any other position,” Wolf concluded.
Patriots Have Been Linked to All Top 6 QB Prospects
The Patriots have been associated with every top quarterback prospect in the draft, including Daniels, Maye, Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, and Michael Penix Jr. All six quarterbacks are viewed as having the potential to start in the NFL due to their impressive college careers, and the Patriots have evaluated and interviewed each candidate.
“From many perspectives, the Patriots seem to have a strong position in this draft,” remarked NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran earlier in the week. “While there’s always the possibility of challenges once the player joins the team, the player they ultimately choose is likely to have the skills necessary to be a successful NFL starting quarterback.
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