NFL Trade Rumors: New England Patriots "Open for Business" With 3rd Overall Pick

Just because the New England Patriots have moved on from head coach Bill Belichick doesn't mean they've lost interest in wheeling and dealing on draft day. Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf told reporters today that his team is "open for business" regarding trades in the upcoming NFL Draft, up OR down.

Patriots director of scouting/lead exec Eliot Wolf: “We are open for business” on trades, up or down.

Wolf said 1st pick doesn’t have to be a QB but believes there will be QB available worthy of Pick #3

He added it’s unique year for top-6 QBs in how well teammates speak of them
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 18, 2024

Naturally, Wolf attempted to retain leverage by saying he believes a quarterback worthy of the third overall pick will be available. The Patriots are in desperate need of a new franchise passer after 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones flamed out over the past two seasons. The Patriots traded Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars earlier this offseason.

The Patriots have been sniffing around various quarterback prospects this draft season, including LSU's Jayden Daniels and North Carolina's Drake Maye, who are expected to go within the first three picks. However, the fact that the Patriots are entertaining moving their pick suggests they're at least curious about some names further down the draft board. They've also held visits with Michigan's J.J. McCarthy and Washington's Michael Penix.

Trading up would be atypically aggressive for the Patriots, but it could pay off if they're in love with one of Daniels or Maye and don't dare miss out; standing pat works if they're happy with either of the two. Otherwise, a trade-down might help the Patriots most of all. They're clearly in the early stages of a drastic rebuild, and they could benefit from expanding their resources. As their roster is presently constructed, putting a young quarterback under center may be tantamount to sabotage, anyway.