NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Select 'Spectacular' QB With No. 3 Pick
If the Chicago Bears select USC's Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, followed by the Washington Commanders taking UNC's Drake Maye, who should the New England Patriots draft at No. 3?
According to former Super Bowl-champion-winning defensive back and now-turned NFL.com draft analyst Bucky Brooks, the Patriots shouldn't pass up on taking LSU's Jayden Daniels.
“If new head coach Jerod Mayo is serious about upgrading the most important position on the team, he cannot afford to bypass the Heisman Trophy winner at pick No. 3 in this exercise,” Brooks writes. “The spectacular dual-threat playmaker would add some sizzle to an offense that lacked explosiveness under Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.”
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Sizzle? The reigning Heisman Trophy winner certainly showed that in his two seasons at LSU. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Daniels not only possesses the prototypical size for a franchise quarterback in the NFL but also brings the true dual-threat ability.
Daniels completed 72.2 percent of his passes while throwing for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions. If you thought those alone were video game numbers, wait... Daniels also totaled 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns with his legs, leading an LSU offense that led the nation in points per game.
While it is hard to predict how well Daniels would "fit" schematically with the Patriots, as they have yet to hire an offensive coordinator. But from a pure abilities standpoint, he would give the offense a dynamic they haven't had since signing Cam Newton: a quarterback run game.
Having a mobile quarterback not only makes opposing defenses more disciplined in their pass rush, as they won't want to give Daniels a hole to run through, but his mobility could also make up for any deficiencies on the offensive line.
After coach Jerod Mayo has given a hint as to what the team could be looking for in the draft, it seems that no matter what happens with the two picks ahead of them, the Patriots are likely to take a quarterback.
