New England Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo said the team would "have to heavily consider it" if a team offered the "bag" in terms of "a massive trade offer," but noted that "we have to get this right, particularly at quarterback," while discussing the team's plans with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday (April 25) night with NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.
"Our legacy will be defined by who we pick at three," Mayo said according to Wolfe.
The former All-Pro linebacker, who succeeded six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick as head coach this offseason after five seasons as the Patriots' inside linebackers coach, also confirmed that de facto general manager Eliot Wolf, "is the one making the picks, point person, alongside himself in this draft," Wolfe reported.
"Wolf has said, last week, that they are open for business regarding any trades, but as of right now they haven't received that massive trade offer that would entice them to move from three, so right now they expect to pick at three and all eyes turn to the quarterback position."
Wolfe acknowledged that many mock drafts have projected former Heisman Trophy winners Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels to be selected at Nos. 1 and 2 overall respectively, which would lead to New England choosing between former North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 3.
"The Patriots are in a much intriguing spot here in the draft and ultimately they are going to make this pick or could they trade it back?" Wolfe speculated.
The 2024 NFL Draft will air live on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network, as well as several streaming platforms, beginning with first-round coverage at 8:00 p.m. ET on Thursday.