Where the Patriots' QB Depth Chart Stands Heading Into Draft

The New England Patriots are one of the biggest question marks heading into the first round of Thursday's NFL Draft. While New England has a huge need at quarterback and could nab one of this class' top arms, there's serious speculation the Patriots may trade down in favor of picking up more assets.

Even if the Pats do move back, it seems like a rookie signal-caller will land here one way or another, setting the stage for a new era.

As Patriots fans brace for a new QB addition, here's how the depth chart looks currently before the team is on the clock.

1. Jacoby Brissett

With the No. 3 pick after the 2023 season, many expected New England to ink a veteran QB in free agency to mentor or even start over a rookie if they needed some time to prepare for the next level. And the Pats ended up doing exactly this by signing Jacoby Brissett early on.

Brissett is the perfect player to fill this team's needs. He's logged 48 career starts, including two seasons as being The Guy for the Indianapolis Colts (and another 11-start campaign for the Cleveland Browns in 2021). His performance in Cleveland -- 2,608 yards, 12 TDs and 6 INTs -- showed he still has plenty left in the tank heading into his 30s.

That starting experience should help New England if it selects a young gunslinger who could benefit from learning behind a vet to begin their career. Given Brissett's journey, going from a third-round pick to eventual starter and then backup, he has plenty of knowledge to impart on a first-year quarterback.

No one should expect Brissett to light the world on fire if he starts most or even all of the 2024 campaign, but he should be a legitimate upgrade over the Mac Jones-Bailey Zapper circus of 2023.

2. Bailey Zappe

Speaking of Zappe, he's on the hot seat after last season.

The former fourth-round pick did nothing in his 2023 starts (1,114 yards, 6 TDs, 7 INTs) to showcase his importance to this team, which is part of the reason why New England is desperate to add a signal-caller in the draft.

With Jerod Mayo taking over and eager to carry out his vision of the future, it's likely a lackluster holdover from the previous regime isn't very safe on this roster.

3. Nathan Rourke

Nathan Rourke is the one other QB currently in town. New England claimed him off of waivers in December after he was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars, then re-signed to a futures deal this offseason.

The nearly 26-year-old Rourke hasn't appeared in a regular-season NFL game yet during his career, so he remains a major unknown. It'd be no surprise if Rourke and Zappe are competing for a practice squad spot this preseason.

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