NFL Draft Rumors: Drake Maye Will ‘Be No Worse’ Than No. 3 Pick amid Patriots Buzz

Adam WellsApril 19, 2024

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Less than one week away from the start of the 2024 NFL draft, Drake Maye’s stock appears to be trending up.

Per ESPN’s Matt Miller, the feeling among people around the league is Maye will be “no worse” than the No. 3 pick as things stand.

The New England Patriots currently own the third pick. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports said Thursday on The Pat McAfee Show the Patriots “really like” Maye and Jayden Daniels, and it would be a surprise if they traded out of that spot.

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow”From what I’ve heard the Patriots really like Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels..

I would be very surprised if the Patriots moved out” ~ @PSchrags #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/Smkobaw6jd

It’s not even clear at this point if Maye will be on the board when the Patriots go on the clock.

Daniels is still the betting favorite at -130 (bet $130 to win $100) to go No. 2 overall), with Maye at +115. The gap between those two players has gotten closer after Daniels had a sizeable edge at -275 to +215 earlier this week.

The Commanders are doing a great job of keeping their plans a mystery. They brought in a large group of prospects, including Maye, Daniels, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix Jr., for their official visit on Tuesday night.

Albert Breer @AlbertBreerThe Commanders kicked off their mass 30 visit tonight by taking the draft prospects—including Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix and JJ McCarthy—to Topgolf for a casual dinner/mixer. More than 20 potential draftees in town, and they’ll all be at the facility tomorrow.

Patriots director of scouting Eliot Wolf told reporters on Thursday they are “open for business” when it comes to trading the No. 3 pick, but he also said they would “be comfortable” standing pat.

NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran previously reported it would take a massive haul of “a lot more” than three first-round draft picks to trade out of the third spot.

Everything team executives say right now should be taken with a huge grain of salt, but it does make sense for the Patriots to put a premium on their pick. They have a glaring need at quarterback and are in a spot where they can address it with a highly-touted prospect.

Maye offers as much upside as any quarterback in this class, including Caleb Williams. B/R’s NFL scouting department has the North Carolina standout ranked as the top signal-caller and No. 3 overall prospect in the 2024 draft.

If the Patriots could get Maye with the third pick, that would be a huge coup for them as they try to rebuild an offense that scored the second-fewest points per game in the league last season.

For all the latest betting information and reaction, check out B/R Betting.

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