Patriots 2023 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Bill Belichick strikes it rich

The New England Patriots get real and take a dual-threat quarterback

In the third round, after trading down once again this time with the LA Chargers, the New England Patriots go bold and select a quarterback, Hendon Hooker of Tennessee.

Hooker slips due to an ACL tear he suffered at the end of last season, but his value here is too big to pass up. If he’s available at pick No. 85, you just take him. There is no more important player on the team than the quarterback.

Hooker’s availability next season is iffy, and it will be just fine if he sits and learns while Jones, Bailey Zappe, and newly acquired Trace McSorley battle it out for a position.

He’s an injury risk and this early, it can be questioned. Yet, rest assured when he’s physically ready, Hooker will definitely be a factor to be reckoned with.

Hooker can both sling it with great accuracy and lug the rock himself. He’s a dual-threat type and exactly what the doctor ordered for the all too predictable and boring Patriots offense the past couple of years.

Hooker completed 69.6 percent of his passes last season and threw for 27 touchdowns along with only two interceptions. In addition, he ran for 430 and scored five TDs on the ground.

He’s the total package and again, if he slides to the Patriots at pick No. 85 received in the trade with the LA Chargers, he’s an absolute steal.