NFL Mock Draft: Patriots Pick Heisman Trophy QB?

Will Tom Brady finally be replaced?NFL.com’s latest mock draft predicts the New England Patriots will use the No. 3 in the draft for a quarterback.

In the projected scenario, the first three picks would be used for franchise field generals. After the Chicago Bears selected USC’s Caleb Williams first overall and North Carolina’s Drake May went second overall to the Chicago Bears, the Patriots selected LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the third pick generally.

Daniels, a proven Heisman Trophy winner in 2023, has the potential to bring a level of quarterback talent not seen in New England since Brady left for Tampa Bay. In four years without the legendary TB12, the Patriots endured three losing seasons and failed to make the playoffs. Daniels started 55 career collegiate starts, including 26 after transferring from Arizona State to LSU.

In 2023, he led the nation’s best offense to a 10-win season while securing multiple NCAA individual championships. The dual threat tied the nation in total offense (412.2) and led all quarterbacks with 1,134 rushing yards.Under Daniels, LSU has reached 40 points nine times in 12 games.

The decorated signal-caller, who has helped the team pass for 500 yards in nine different games, broke Joe Burrow’s single-season rushing record (402.6) in 2019.The Patriots could try to move on from Mack Jones, who preferred Bailey Zappé last season. New England is expected to announce this spring whether it will extend Jones’ five-year contract.

Either way, it could be an upgrade attempt for the Patriots, who ranked 30th out of 32 teams in passing yards last year (5.51). In 2023, Jones and Zappé combined for 16 touchdowns, 21 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 73.8.NFL.com wrote:“If there’s one lesson I’ve learned over the years, it’s that no matter where a quarterback is in the draft in February, the odds are better than in April.

So let’s skip that step and give the Patriots a style of quarterback they’ve never experienced before. “I would love to see an NFL offense built around Daniels’ talent.”