Throughout the 2024 offseason, it was clear the New England Patriots were going to use the third-overall selection in the upcoming NFL Draft on a quarterback. After the failed experiment with Mac Jones, whom the team picked in the first round in 2021, it was time to find the next franchise quarterback after Tom Brady, and they were fortunate to have a list of options in their grasp.
It had long been known that USC's Caleb Williams would be first off the board, leaving just the Commanders ahead of the Patriots in the quarterback sweepstakes. That meant they had a few choices to consider, including LSU's Jayden Daniels, UNC's Drake Maye, Michigan's JJ McCarthy, and Oregon's Bo Nix; all of whom were on their radar.