New England Patriots Coach Jerod Mayo Reveals Draft ‘Priority’

The New England Patriots are looking to fill several roster needs heading into the NFL Draft, including a void at arguably the game’s most important position: quarterback.

FOXBORO — QB or not QB?  That appears to be the question for the New England Patriots heading into the NFL Draft. 

While multiple reports have the Pats taking a strong look at the quarterback position with their No. 3 overall selection, head coach Jerod Mayo is not ready to fully pull back the curtain on his team’s plans. 

"It's the priority right now," Mayo told NFL Network's Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting when asked about drafting a quarterback. "But with that being said, you have to really be in love with the guy to take him at No. 3. So really all the options are still open for us."

Jan 17, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left)

Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Since their 4-13 finish last season provided them with the Draft’s third overall selection, New England has been heavily linked to top positional options such as USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. The team has also reportedly eyed Oregon’s Bo Nix and Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy. Last week, a Patriots contingent of Mayo, director of scouting Eliot Wolf, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney was in Ann Arbor to scout McCarthy at Michigan’s pro day. The same delegation is expected to attend workouts for both Maye and Daniels later this week. 

Though the Patriots appear to be narrowing their focus to drafting a young prospect at the position, they are not resting their entire quarterback fate on the shoulders of a yet-to-be selected rookie. Earlier this month, the Pats signed former Washington Commanders signal-caller Jacoby Brissett. In addition to a first tour of duty with the Patriots, as well as stops with the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, the veteran played under Van Pelt with the Cleveland Browns in 2022 — where he earned then career-highs in completions percentage (64.0) and passer rating (88.9.) 

Should the Pats decide to start Brissett at the outset of the season, Mayo appears confident that his previous success in working with the Pats new “OC” will lead to a solid performance in 2024. 

"A guy like Jacoby, he's a great leader," Mayo explained. "Everyone loves him. To get him back in the building is definitely helpful for us. And honestly … he could absolutely be our starter this year. We'll have to see."

Despite Mayo’s remarks, most believe that Brissett will now serve as a potential bridge option for the Pats as they attempt to find their future franchise quarterback. Those sentiments are seemingly supported by Wolf, who last month revealed he is looking for an organizational fit — not only capable of playing the game at a high-level, but also handling the additional pressures which are certain to arise as an NFL quarterback.

“I think it’s a really good year for quarterbacks,” Wolf said. "We have to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses and determine what’s best for the team … We have to determine who can handle being the quarterback of the New England Patriots.”

Ultimately, the Patriots are in position to fill one of their numerous roster needs with a top-level talent at said position. From Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt, to Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. — or a potential trade down, to maximize their Draft capital — the Pats have well-positioned themselves to be leaving Detroit, MI on April 27 with a potential team cornerstone as their primary selection. 

"Like I said, we're not dead set at taking a quarterback at No. 3, but we do feel good having a guy like Jacoby ready to go," Mayo concluded. 

The Patriots also have third-year quarterback Bailey Zappe, who served as the team’s starter for their final six games of the season, along with veteran Nathan Rourke under contract at the position. The Pats, on March 10, traded former 2021 first-rounder Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round selection (No. 192) in April’s draft.