Analyst, scout address if Patriots will trade down in NFL Draft

It sounds like more and more connected people assume that New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf will select a quarterback with the third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"Wolf is entering his first draft in charge of decision-making for the Patriots, and considering his background and experience with the [Green Bay Packers], passing on a QB at No. 3 would be surprising -- even if New England gets an enticing offer for the pick," ESPN's Jordan Reid wrote for a piece published Thursday.

Mark Daniels of MassLive previously mentioned how Wolf was in his second season working in Green Bay's personnel department when that club landed future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. As for a so-called "enticing offer," the Patriots may want more than three first-round picks from a different club to move off No. 3. 

It seems a lock that the Chicago Bears will make Caleb Williams of the USC Trojans the draft's first selection, but it remains unknown if the Washington Commanders will take LSU Tigers signal-caller Jayden Daniels, North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy of the Michigan Wolverines at No. 2. As recently as Thursday, Daniels was heavily linked with the Commanders. 

Some have suggested New England could and even should shop the draft's third choice to acquire assets for its rebuild, but ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter recently said such a trade is "unlikely to happen because [the Patriots would] have to move out of a spot where they would lose out on a quarterback that they want." 

Meanwhile, one AFC area scout told Reid it's thought that "it's easier to get the quarterback and build around him than the inverse." That scout added that trading back could leave the Patriots "hoping and wishing that [they are] in this position again next year to get" a franchise quarterback. 

Also in Thursday's article, ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss shared that the club has "invested significant resources in evaluating both Maye and Daniels, as reflected by the high total of nine staff members in attendance for each of their pro days." 

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye as the betting favorite at -130 odds to be the draft's third pick. 

However, both Chris Trapasso and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports predicted in mock drafts updated on Wednesday that New England will take McCarthy third overall. 

Multiple reports have teased the Patriots may have McCarthy as their QB1 with Williams expected to be off the board at No. 3.