The New England Patriots go into the 2024 NFL Draft with the third overall pick, and the latest NFL draft betting odds suggest North Carolina's Drake Maye could be heading to Gilette Stadium. However, the Patriots' former All-Pro safety Rodney Harrison has urged the Patriots not to select Maye at three.
Harrison aired his views about the Patriots' quarterback position in a recent interview with Tony Dungy. Harrison said, "Well, you're probably going to have to find something in the later rounds or possibly trade for a quarterback because there's no way I'm spending the number three pick overall on Drake Maye. There's no way."
Harrison spent six seasons with the Patriots between 2003 and 2008, winning two Super Bowls. Having played with legendary quarterback Tom Brady, one would think Harrison knows a thing or two about quarterbacks and their potential.
Maye began his college career with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2021 as the backup to Sam Howell, who is now with the Seattle Seahawks. In 2022, he became North Carolina's starting quarterback, playing 14 games, passing 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns from 342 completions (66.2%). The dual-threat quarterback also gained 698 rushing yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns.
Although Maye's numbers dwindled in 2023, they were still impressive. Through 12 college games, Maye completed 63.3% of his 425 passes for 3,608 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also ran for 449 yards and nine touchdowns.
Some concerns about Maye's consistency exist, which could be why Harrison has reservations about the Patriots using their number three overall pick to select the North Carolina native.
The Patriots currently have three quarterbacks on their roster. Bailey Zappe, a fourth-round pick in 2022, Nathan Rourke, and offseason addition Jacoby Brissett are fighting for the starting position after Mac Jones headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14 in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick.
Although the Patriots are keeping their cards close to their chests, they are widely expected to use their third-overall pick to select Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels, choosing whichever youngster the Washington Commanders don't select second-overall.