Joe Milton Squashes Position Change Rumors After Patriots Selection

The New England Patriots surprisingly took quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Heading into the draft, it was expected that the Patriots would take Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye at No. 3 overall.

The Patriots went with Maye after the Commanders took Daniels. However, the Pats weren’t done adding to their QB room as on Day 3, they selected former University of Tennessee star Joe Milton III with the No. 193 overall pick.

Before the NFL draft, rumors were floating around that Milton should consider a position change due to his size and skills. Milton was asked about a potential position change to tight end on Saturday and cut straight to the point.

“That’ll never happen,” Milton said when speaking with the media (h/t Keagan Stiefel of NESN). The former Tennessee standout also told the media that the Patriots haven’t asked him to play anything else – but quarterback (h/t Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal).

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to hear that the Patriots haven’t brought up the idea to Milton as he’s the perfect developmental quarterback to get reps in the preseason and learn from Jacoby Brissett.

Milton has insane arm talent, but he needs to be more accurate. However, the accuracy won’t improve unless he gets more reps. 

The 6-foot-4 quarterback completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions this past season as the full-time starter with the Vols. He also was a factor in the running game with 299 yards and seven touchdowns.

Maye is the quarterback of the future for the Patriots. But if Milton can develop this season and work on his game, he could become the QB2 behind Maye in 2025.

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