3 Potential Busts the Patriots Must Avoid With No. 3 Pick

The only positive when a team has a tough season is their place in the ensuing NFL Draft. For the New England Patriots, their 4-13 record was tough to sit through but they now have the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are countless playmakers they can target to improve their chances under new coach Jared Mayo but they need to get their first pick right.

Under Bill Belichick, it was always a roller-coaster in the draft. Somehow he could use a first-round pick on Cole Strange but still field a competitive team. That might not be the case going forward, so they have to start knocking these selections out of the park. To do this, here are three players who could be busts in New England and must be avoided.

3. Quinyon Mithcell, CB, Toledo

Quinyon Mitchell is set to make history for his team. The 6-foot-0, 195-pound cornerback is expected to go early during the opening night of the draft which would make him the first player from Toledo taken in Round 1 since 1993.

Already seen as an excellent prospect, Mitchell all but guaranteed his first-round status with a great showing at the Senior Bowl. Even so, he's not someone the Patriots should consider at No. 3.

Despite his performance against fellow seniors, the fact that he played for a non-power conference team should be enough for New England to look elsewhere. This isn't to say Mitchell isn't going to be good. He might very well be an elite defender but New England can't gamble with the No. 3 pick. They need someone who will help immediately and a player from a small school could need more time to develop than they can afford at this point.