Should Patriots pursue QB Baker Mayfield in NFL free agency?

Should Patriots pursue QB Baker Mayfield in NFL free agency? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

There are several different ways the New England Patriots could upgrade at quarterback this offseason.

The easiest path is taking a QB with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. There are three top-tier quarterback prospects in the 2024 class — USC’s Caleb Williams, UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels — and one of them will be there when the Patriots are on the clock.

But what if the Patriots don’t like any of those QBs enough to take one at No. 3? Dipping into the free agent market in March to sign a veteran is another option.

The quarterback market in free agency is expected to be pretty weak. Kirk Cousins and Baker Mayfield are the clear-cut best players who could be available, and after them there’s a noticeable drop-off in talent.

ESPN published a story last Friday asking some of their NFL insiders and experts to make predictions and answer key questions for the 2024 season. In the section titled “What is one move you want to see this offseason?”, Jeremy Fowler mentioned the Patriots and Mayfield.

“The Patriots submarine the Buccaneers by signing QB Baker Mayfield,” Fowler wrote. “While Tampa is the clear-cut favorite to re-sign Mayfield, now a coveted free agent after a banner year with the Bucs, anything can happen in free agency.

“And the Patriots’ new brain trust — including lead personnel man Eliot Wolf and personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith — were part of the Cleveland regime that took Mayfield No. 1 in the 2018 draft. They believed in him. Yes, the Patriots can take a quarterback at No. 3 overall. But who’s to say they wouldn’t still need a veteran? Or, if they believe Mayfield is a long-term answer in this case, they could draft Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. or trade back for more capital.”

This isn’t a report from Fowler, and he notes that the Bucs remain the favorites to keep Mayfield, but he does bring up some interesting points…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-pursue-qb-baker-mayfield-192314506.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-02-19 19:29:16

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