Patriots HC Jerod Mayo admits drafting quarterback at No.3 is priority for the team after trading Mac Jones

As a result of last season’s struggle, the Patriots have the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Patriots HC Jerod Mayo admits drafting quarterback at No.3 is priority for the team after trading Mac Jones

Mac Jones and Jerod Mayo (Via Imago/SI)

When Tom Brady left, the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick were confident they would remain the dominating force they have been for the past two decades. But it didn’t take the franchise more than a few seasons to realize their legacy died with the departure of the NFL legend. 

Now, with an entirely different coaching staff and a lot of alterations in the roster, the Patriots have entered their rejuvenating period. With the head coach robes handed over to Jerod Mayo, after Belichick’s exit, the top priority for now is to find a potential quarterback for next season. 

As a result of last season’s struggle, the Patriots have the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Fortunately for them, this year is being considered a quarterback-heavy draft, which means if the franchise intends to draft a quarterback they can do so from the top prospects, which seems just the right decision for them. 

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While talking to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche on Sunday at the Annual League Meeting, the first-year head coach confirmed the franchise’s prime focus for now is to draft a quarterback using their No. 3 pick. But he also stated that this isn’t the last resort for them. 

The Patriots head coach said:

It's the priority right now. 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.
Jerod Mayo said

The Patriots’ calculated draft considerations after Mac Jones

The reason why the Patriots are open to other possibilities also with their first-round pick is because there’s no guarantee a top draft prospect ensures long-term success. The lesson they learned with former quarterback Mac Jones.

Mac Jones
Mac Jones (via Imago)

After being drafted as the 15th overall pick, Jones’ rookie season started with a kickoff as he led the team to the first playoff appearance since the departure of the seven-time Super Bowl champion. But in the following two seasons, he barely succeeded with eight wins combined resulting in him being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. 

Therefore, if the Patriots decided not to draft a quarterback using their No. 3 pick then it would lead to various possibilities. First, they could trade the pick and gain assets or they can draft for another position instead of a QB or may select a quarterback using their remaining seven picks.

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