4 Patriots Who Will Lose Their Roster Spot to a Rookie in the NFL Draft

Following an abysmal 2023 campaign, New England Patriots fans are stoked for the 2024 NFL Draft. It's hard to blame them. After all, the Patriots hold the third overall pick in April, marking the first time since 1994 that the franchise holds a top-five selection.

With several needs to address this offseason, New England is fortunate to have seven 2024 draft picks at its disposal — including three within the first 70 selections. There's a good chance that the Patriots will nab some high-ceiling players with those picks who can help replace veterans who failed to deliver last season.

Here are four Patriots who'll likely lose their roster spot to a rookie from this year's draft class.

1. QB Mac Jones

Super Bowls can't be won without a competent quarterback under center, which is why Mac Jones will likely be replaced by a rookie at the draft. With names like USC's Caleb Williams, UNC's Drake Maye, and LSU's Jayden Daniels on the board, there's zero reason to run it back with Jones again.

Jones, drafted 15th overall in 2021, has been on the decline ever since making the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

His struggles bled into the 2023 campaign as he only completed 64.9% of passes for 2,210 yards, 10 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, a 77.0 passer rating, and a 2-9 record across 11 starts. The Jacksonville, FL native was also replaced by backup QB Bailey Zappe four times, highlighting just how much Jones has fallen from grace.

Jones is still young enough (25) to turn things around, in theory, but that opportunity shouldn't happen in New England. The Patriots need a signal-caller with a much higher ceiling than the ex-Alabama product offers. Besides, newly hired head coach Jerod Mayo likely wants to handpick a QB of his choosing to begin the new era.

At the end of the day, Jones is looking more and more like a draft bust with each passing season. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that his job is in danger this offseason.