6 rings & football things: Pats on the Pro Day circuit, Drake Maye discourse, Mailbag questions, & more
Ahead of what Robert Kraft has dubbed the "most anticipated" draft of his tenure as owner of the Patriots, director of scouting Eliot Wolf and head coach Jerod Mayo hold the highest draft selection (No. 3 overall) since 1993.
According to Mayo, New England has their sights set on taking a quarterback:
"It's the priority right now," the new head coach told NFL Network's Steve Wyche at the Annual League Meeting. "But with that being said, you have to really be in love with the guy to take him at No. 3. So really all the options are still open for us."
The options at the top of the draft for Mayo and co., after the Bears inevitably select USC's Caleb Williams at No. 1, will include either LSU's Jayden Daniels or UNC's Drake Maye, and Michigan's J.J. McCarthy. A Patriots brass of Mayo, Wolf, offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, and quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney were in Ann Arbor last Friday for McCarthy's Pro Day, and the same contingent will be on hand in Baton Rouge and Chapel Hill this coming week for Daniels' and Maye's Pro Days.
The Patriots also signed quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who will likely serve as a bridge, mentor, and veteran leader for the rookie until he is ready to play. Mayo sounds confident that the 31-year-old could play the whole season for them if he had to.
"A guy like Jacoby, he's a great leader," he explained. "Everyone loves him. To get him back in the building is definitely helpful for us. And honestly, look, he could absolutely be our starter this year. We'll have to see."
Mayo continued: "Like I said, we're not dead set at taking a quarterback at No. 3, but we do feel good having a guy like Jacoby ready to go."
The first round of the 2024 NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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