NFL insider: 'All signs' point to Patriots keeping third overall NFL Draft pick, likely taking Drake Maye

Heading into Thursday night, everyone assumed the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft were set in stone. Caleb Williams would head to Chicago, while Washington took Jayden Daniels.

Drake Maye was thought to be the guy at No. 3 but exactly which team would be taking him, we did not know. The New England Patriots currently hold the pick and have flirted with trading out.

However, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the Patriots will stay put and keep their selection. Additionally, Maye is expected to hear his name called and become New England’s new franchise quarterback.

“After weeks of listening to offers for the No. 3 overall pick, all signs now point to the #Patriots standing pat and picking,” Pelissero said. “The belief within the league is that pick will most likely be North Carolina QB Drake Maye.”

New England has been searching for a quarterback ever since Tom Brady left the organization. Selecting Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 Draft was thought to be the answer but after three seasons, the two sides have moved on from each other.

It’s a completely new era for the Patriots in the coaching department too. Bill Belichick has retired and is now planning on getting into the media world, beginning Thursday night with ESPN’s Pat McAfee. He will forever be a legend of the franchise but the time to move on from each other was right.

Jerod Mayo has taken over and despite being a defensive guy, there is nothing more important than finding your quarterback. Not many are better than Maye.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, Maye was the No. 2 player on a lot of boards, only sitting behind Williams. But the incredible, Heisman Trophy-winning year Daniels had at LSU skyrocketed him into the first round. New Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has experience with quarterbacks with similar traits as Daniels, making them a perfect match.

Even so, FOX’s Joel Klatt loves the ceiling Maye possesses and believes New England could be getting an incredible player.

“High ceiling,” Klatt said. When you watch his tape, I understand some of the criticism. Does he play loosely at times? Yes. I believe that’s because he’s hyper-competitive. He had a team around him that wasn’t the best and he was trying to do everything in his power to win. This guy has all the tools that you would possibly need to succeed at the next level. I hope that he does.”