Patriots Interview Top 3 Quarterbacks at Scouting Combine
Have the New England Patriots already shaken the hand of their next franchise quarterback?
Amid multiple reports that the Patriots are expected to select a quarterback with the No. 3 overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft, the team’s contingent of scouts have met with the “Top 3” positional prospects throughout the week at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis: UNC’s Drake Maye, LSU’s Jayden Daniels and USC’s Caleb Williams.
Though Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf indicated earlier this week that “all options were on the table” for their third overall selection, the Patriots appear to be narrowing their focus to drafting a young prospect to lead the team into a new era under the direction of rookie head coach Jerod Mayo.
Cred: ClutchPoints
In meeting with the class’ top prospects, New England is certainly performing a thorough search for potentially the new face of their organization.
“I was really impressed with them,” Maye said during Friday’s morning press conference at Lucas Oil Stadium. :Anytime [you have] a new head coach [Mayo,] it’s a pretty cool experience. So just being in there, New England’s obviously a great sports town… So I thought it went well. I think New England’s a great spot.”
Maye has been described by some draft analysts as an “ideal fit” within coordinator Alex Van Pelt’s offense. The former Tar Heel completed 63 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,608 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also ran for nine touchdowns. Not only is Maye a natural pocket passer, but he is known for being acutely accurate in his ball placement. In addition to his precision, Maye is also highly-touted for his arm strength and abilities to create plays with his legs.
Daniels, the 2023 Heisman trophy winner, has been projected as the Patriots most-likely selection by several mock-draft pundits — with Williams being selected by the Chicago Bears and No. 1 and the Washington Commanders following-up with Maye at No. 2. To the satisfaction of Patriots Nation, the ex-Tiger appeared to enjoy his experience in meeting with the Patriots.
“It was good,” Daniels said. “Just to be able to put a name to a face. I know the names of those guys, so to be able to sit down and have a human contact, talk eye-to-eye with them. It was just great to go in there and just talk and get to know them and they get to know me.”
Daniels completed 72 percent of his passes in 2023 for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also 10 rushing touchdowns, making him one of the top dual-threat quarterback prospects in the nation. While his pocket presence is still considered a work-in-progress, his athleticism would make him an exciting addition to New England.
Would Daniels welcome the opportunity to bring the Patriots back to glory?
“Yeah it would be dope," Daniels said Friday morning when asked about potentially being drafted by New England. "Obviously growing up and seeing what Tom Brady did there, six Super Bowls, that's tough to live up to. But it would be dope to come in there and see the success they had and help them get back on that track."
Though probability favors either Maye or Daniels to wear Patriot blue for the foreseeable, the Pats wisely left no stone unturned in interviewing Williams — the consensus No. 1 selection on the majority of draft boards throughout the gridiron universe. To the Patriots favor, the ex-Trojan seemed to appreciate the intimate nature of his meeting with the team.
“The Patriots were cool.” Williams said. “The room wasn’t as packed. They had just a few guys and we talked mainly about ball … It was a good impression. They were asking me questions about my life, and about football. Testing me and things like that … They [NFL Teams] don’t really get to see you and test your mental abilities, so this quick 10-20 minutes they have, that’s what they’re mainly doing.”
Last season at USC, Williams completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also earned 11 rushing touchdowns, cementing his status as an elite playmaking prospect at the pro level. In addition to both his top-quality arm talent and outstanding running ability, Williams’ expertise allows him go off-script to create a big play — a skill which would undoubtedly be welcomed in New England.
Wolf, per his comments on Tuesday, is looking for a franchise fit, who is 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.”
Should the Patriots follow through on their purported plan to select a quarterback at No. 3, it’s safe to say that they have already found their next top star.
