With a 2-8 record heading into their bye week, the New England Patriots need to start looking ahead to next season. That includes the 2024 NFL Draft, which will offer the Patriots a much-needed chance to reset at quarterback now that Mac Jones has proven he's clearly not the guy.
New England is tied for the second-worst record in the NFL right now. If that continues, the organization will have a top pick in the upcoming draft for the first time in decades.
Fortunately for the Patriots, there are several appealing quarterback options to choose from in this year's draft class. Here are the three that they should be targeting.
1. Caleb Williams
If he's available when their turn comes up in the draft, the Patriots shouldn't hesitate to draft Caleb Williams.
Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy for USC after transferring from Oklahoma. He racked up an impressive 4,537 passing yards and a 42:5 TD/INT ratio with a 66.6% completion rate, proving he has the skills to lead a team and be an elite quarterback. He was also a threat on the ground, rushing for 382 yards and 10 TDs.
The dual-threat QB is arguably having an even better campaign as a junior this year. Many of his metrics are slightly better, including his completion rate (67.9%) and his yards per passing (9.4). Through 11 games, he's amassed 3,249 passing yards and a 29:4 TD/INT ratio. He's also already surpassed his rushing TD total from last year with 11, averaging one per game.
It's hard to improve on a Heisman season, but Williams is doing it. That says a lot about him and his work ethic, and it also suggests that he may only keep getting better once he arrives in the NFL.
New England needs a player like that -- not another Jones who peaks as a rookie and then immediately regresses. Williams is exactly what the Patriots need to put a charge into their lifeless offense.
2. Drake Maye
If the Patriots can't get Williams, their fans would be just as happy with Drake Maye, who's arguably just as talented.
The current UNC sophomore burst onto the scene in 2022, earning ACC Player of the Year and ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. He tallied 4,321 passing yards on a 66.2% completion rate alongside a 38:7 TD/INT ratio, finishing with eerily similar passing numbers to Williams.
Maye is a bit more of a sparkplug on the ground than Williams is, however. He rushed for 698 yards and 7 TDs in 2022 and has 276 yards with 8 TDs so far in 2023. His passing stats have also held steady for the most part with 3,145 passing yard, a 65.8% completion rate and a 21:6 TD/INT ratio through 10 games.
Similar to Williams, Maye's playmaking abilities and running skills make him an attractive option for New England. Aside from Cam Newton's brief stint in 2020, the team hasn't had a mobile quarterback in his prime for a long time. And with glaring weaknesses in the Patriots' receiving corps and offensive line, having a quarterback who can escape pressure and pick up yards on the ground would give the offense a massive boost.
Even as a sophomore, Maye already looks like a clear upgrade over Jones.
3. Jayden Daniels
While there's a bit of a drop-off at the position after Williams and Maye, Jayden Daniels has a case for being the third-best QB in this year's draft class.
Now a senior, Daniels has improved dramatically over the past three seasons -- the last two of which have been with LSU after transferring from Arizona State. His completion rate has increased in each of those three campaigns, rising from 65.4% as a sophomore to 71.4% as a senior.
Daniels also has 3,164 passing yards on 11.6 yards per attempt this season, showcasing his ability to connect on medium and deep routes. That would be a game-changer for the Patriots, as Jones has consistently struggled with the deep ball, which has limited their offense.
Beyond that, Daniels also has a 30:4 TD/INT ratio this season. He's dynamic on the ground as well with 918 rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs this year after running for 885 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.
Accordingly, Daniels certainly belongs in the conversation for best QBs in the nation at the moment. Even if he's a cut below Maye and Williams, he still has a lot more upside than Jones and is worth taking a risk on.
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