New England Patriots NFL draft predictions according to latest expert mock drafts

All signs are pointing toward the New England Patriots taking a quarterback with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft next week. The only question that remains: which one it will be?

Ahead of the Patriots in the draft order are two other teams in need of a quarterback – the Chicago Bears and Washington Commanders. Chicago is a near-lock to select Southern California product Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. The Commanders will likely take either North Carolina's Drake Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels with the second pick.

In that scenario, New England would have to decide between the quarterback of the "top three" that remains or Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, a prospect that has skyrocketed up draft boards in the pre-draft process.

Here's what analysts are predicting for the Patriots' No. 3 pick in the latest mocks of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Full 2024 NFL mock draft: All 32 picks from Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz's latest mock

2024 NFL Draft: Patriots prediction

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, "Might the Patriots' potential decision between McCarthy – who is being hosted by New England on Monday, according to multiple reports – and Drake Maye be the inflection point of the entire first round? New coach Jerod Mayo has raved about the latter signal-caller, but McCarthy's continued ascent – both as a player and prospect – could take him all the way to the top three."

Dane Brugler, The Athletic: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Brugler writes, "Listening to trade offers is the responsible move for de facto general manager Eliot Wolf. But it is tough to imagine the Patriots passing on a quarterback here, especially if Maye makes it to No. 3."

Anonymous NFC South area scout, ESPN: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

The scout said, "The other guys really left me without a choice, but this is who we wanted outside of Caleb [Williams] anyway... We're sprinting to the podium with this pick. He's a true playmaker and can beat you with his arm and his legs."

Will Brinson, CBS Sports: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Brinson writes, "The whole 'draft a QB out of Michigan' thing worked well once for the Patriots, why not give it a run this time again."

Peter Schrager, NFL Network: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Schrager writes, "Despite lots of smoke that New England could trade down, I believe this new Patriots regime will be comfortable with either Jayden Daniels or Maye. Pats brass took Maye out for steaks the night before his Foxborough visit earlier this month, and those guys loved the Charlotte native."

2024 NFL draft: Caleb Williams, Marvin Harrison Jr. among 13 prospects to attend

2024 NFL Draft: How to watch on cable TV and streaming

When: April 25-27, 2024

Where: Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza, Detroit, Michigan

Cable: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network

Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; Hulu+ Live TV; fuboTV

How to watch: Catch all seven rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft with a subscription to fuboTV

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New England Patriots mock drafts: Latest projections for 2024 NFL Draft