In the latest mock draft, the Patriots traded back and secured a quarterback along with a significant offensive weapon.
The New England Patriots should prioritize enhancing their offense this off season, as it recorded the lowest points per game average (13.9) in the league this year. Josh Edwards from CBS Sports agrees with this assessment and predicts that the Patriots will acquire two crucial players at positions where they need improvement in his latest mock draft.
According to Edwards, the Patriots are likely to make a deal with the Chicago Bears for quarterback Justin Fields, who has been the subject of trade discussions. The Bears currently hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and reports suggest that it would require a significant offer to acquire it, with USC quarterback Caleb Williams being the front runner to be selected first overall.
If the Bears intend to draft Caleb Williams, Josh Edwards believes they will make Justin Fields available for trade, with the New England Patriots being the likely destination.
Despite Fields’ underwhelming 10-28 record as a starter, he is seen as having more potential than Mac Jones. Fields demonstrated his ability by throwing for 4,804 yards and 33 touchdowns, as well as rushing for 1,800 yards and 12 touchdowns, between 2022 and 2023.
With Fields now on the Patriots’ roster, they could trade their No. 3 pick to recoup some of the draft capital they gave up for Fields. Edwards predicts that the Minnesota Vikings will be interested in trading up to the No. 3 spot to select UNC quarterback Drake Maye. Consequently, the Patriots would trade down and choose Georgia tight end Brock Bowers with the No. 11 pick.
“New England trades back almost 10 spots and still gets a player who may have been considered at No. 3 overall,” Edwards notes. “If the Patriots are the landing spot for Justin Fields, then suddenly this offense gets a lot more interesting.”
Adding Bowers to Fields’ arsenal of weapons would make the Patriots one of the most intriguing offenses in the 2024 season. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 240 pounds, Bowers has been likened to future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, having recorded 175 catches for 2,538 yards and 26 touchdowns from 2021 to 2023.
This potential move suggests that the Patriots are poised to make significant moves this offseason in their quest to return to their winning ways.
