Jerod Mayo Hints at a Draft Day Trade with the Giants
The Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo may have just spoiled New England's plans for the third-overall pick.
By Cem Yolbulan
The New England Patriots are heading to the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 3 overall pick and a selection in each of the seven rounds. This gives them an opportunity to bolster their young, rebuilding roster ahead of next season. Yet, what the Patriots plan to do with their third-overall pick is still unknown. First-time head coach Jerod Mayo may have just given an insight about what the front office is thinking.
In his final remarks before the draft, Mayo told NFL Network insider Cameron Wolfe that the Patriots have six prospects on their big board for their first-round pick. A team planning to pick at No. 3 should only have a maximum of three names on their list, right? Well, perhaps, New England isn't planning on making their selection at their current spot.
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo Hints at A Draft-Day Trade With the Giants
Patriots HC Jerod Mayo told me they have 6 prospects they’d be comfortable taking with their top pick tomorrow & they’ve discussed all scenarios.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 25, 2024
Attention on 1 prime option if they stay at 3: North Carolina QB Drake Maye.
More from Foxborough on @nflnetwork @NFLTotalAccess: pic.twitter.com/qvDx0Qxmqi
Mayo saying that they are comfortable with six prospects is curious. The specific number of six raises the question of whether the Patriots are planning to trade down all the way to six. Who currently has the No. 6 overall pick and is looking to draft a quarterback?
The New York Giants.
In recent days, there has been a significant shift in odds for Drake Maye being the third-overall pick. He certainly has to be one of the six prospects Mayo mentioned. But, if you have other prospects who you see as a similar-level prospect as Maye, why wouldn't you trade down and acquire additional assets in the meantime?
Another name who is likely on the Patriots' big board is J.J. McCarthy out of Michigan. Considering that the Cardinals and the Chargers will not draft a QB at nos. 4 and 5, either McCarthy or Maye will be available at no. 6.
The Patriots will have the chance to still get their next franchise quarterback but also add other high draft picks in such a deal. We can't wait to find out whether they end up taking that risk on Thursday night.
As of now, Drake Maye is still the favorite (-280) to be the third-overall pick, followed by McCarthy at +250. Which team will draft each player remains to be seen.
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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.