In his latest mock draft, former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah projected the New England Patriots to use the No. 3 overall pick on receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
But what Jeremiah put in that mock draft, and what he actually believes, are two very different things.
Jeremiah spoke with reporters on Thursday in his annual pre-draft conference call. The NFL Network analyst fielded numerous questions during the lengthy session, including multiple inquiries on what the Patriots could do with the third pick in the draft.
Daniel Jeremiah Offers Draft Advice for the Patriots
Last month, while responding to an X post from Bill Simmons, Jeremiah said a receiver prospect would need to be at Calvin Johnson’s level to warrant being selected by a quarterback-needy team atop the draft. And during Thursday’s video call, he said Harrison, Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers might be the three best players in this year’s draft class.
However, Jeremiah believes the Patriots would be foolish not to select a quarterback.
“I think, obviously, they’ll do their homework on all the different options there,” Jeremiah said. “But to me, it would be tough to pass on a quarterback.
“You’re not guaranteed to be up here again. There’s no guarantee of what future years — what it looks like at the position. I think you’ve got three guys that are worthy of consideration there.”
Jeremiah, who added he’d be “stunned” if the Patriots didn’t draft a QB, added: “I love Marvin Harrison Jr.; I love him. He is a great player. But it would be hard with where they’re positioned, with where they’re set up right now at that position, to pass on a quarterback.”
Jeremiah has Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels ranked as his top three QBs — in that order. And he said all are capable of injecting the Patriots with needed energy and optimism.
“Just being in that stadium last year, I didn’t recognize it,” Jeremiah said. “Obviously, the team wasn’t good. But there had been so much energy and juice in that building every other time I’ve been in there, and it was just so flat. And it wasn’t just a bad team; it was a boring team.
“There’s just no juice, no excitement whatsoever. And I look at whichever one’s there, if it’s any of those top three quarterbacks, those guys would bring so much energy and life to your franchise. It just feels right. You’ve got new leadership in place; it’s kind of this whole new chapter for the New England Patriots.”
Patriots Might Field Trade Offers for No. 3 Pick
Jeremiah said that, after speaking with people around the NFL, he believes the top three picks in the draft will be used on quarterbacks. And he’s confident the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders will take QBs with the first two picks.
But Jeremiah acknowledged the Patriots might be presented with a trade offer they can’t refuse.
On the New York Giants trading up from No. 6: “For the Giants to get up to the third pick, you’re talking about the sixth overall pick this year. You’re also talking about your second-round pick at No. 39 this year, then your second second-round pick this year at 47, and next year’s two [2025 second-rounder].”
On the Las Vegas Raiders trading up from No. 13: “Here’s your cost for the Raiders to go up to No. 3. It would be the 13th overall pick. It would be your first-round pick and third-round pick in ’25, and your first-round pick in ’26.”
Could New England accept either of those offers and instead add a veteran quarterback this offseason? Sure. The Patriots also could run it back with Mac Jones, although that reportedly is an unlikely outcome.
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Ultimately, though, Jeremiah is right: The Patriots should avoid overthinking it and just draft a new QB.
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