On Wednesday, the Felger & Mazz Big Board made their biggest throws of the year. The guys picked the three quarterbacks that will represent the board in 2024.
Quarterback is, of course, the Patriots’ biggest need in the 2024 NFL Draft. After trading away Mac Jones earlier this offseason, the team’s current QB room consists of Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, and Nathan Rourke.
—Ranking the biggest needs on the Patriots’ roster
—2024 Patriots pick-by-pick big board
—Patriots Mock Draft 3.0
None of those players represent a potential long-term answer at the position. As the Patriots search for their next franchise quarterback, they should have a good chance to land one in this draft.
So, did Felger & Mazz find that next QB who will lead the Patriots’ organization? Here’s a look at who they picked…
Jayden Daniels, LSU
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – NOVEMBER 11: Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers throws the ball during the first half against the Florida Gators at Tiger Stadium on November 11, 2023 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Last season, Daniels accounted for almost 5,000 total yards and 50 touchdowns on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. A lot of his highlights center on his rushing ability but don’t sleep on him as a passer either. He has clean mechanics and is a plus thrower outside the numbers.
That may all sound good for the Patriots, but it’ll also probably sound good for the Washington Commanders, who hold the second overall pick. Most current projections have the Commanders taking Daniels second, making this an unlikely hit for the big board.
Spencer Rattler, South Carolina
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 14: Spencer Rattler #7 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball in the first half during the game against the Florida Gators at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Coming out of high school, Rattler was a highly-touted five-star recruit who was supposed to be the next great Lincoln Riley success story at Oklahoma after Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. After a promising start to his career as a redshirt freshman, he lost his job as a sophomore to Caleb Williams, who went on to have the kind of career Rattler was supposed to have – winning the Heisman and (most likely) becoming the first overall pick.
Meanwhile, Rattler transferred to South Carolina where he played up-and-down football over the last two years. In addition to size (6-foot, 211 pounds) the bigger question around Rattler’s game is his patience and approach. He’s a big play hunter through-and-through, a true gunslinger. There are similarities to his play style and Gardner Minshew. He has enough arm talent to make that style work at the college level, but he’ll need to be much more consistent at the NFL level to earn a secure starting job.
Michael Pratt, Tulane
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 02: Michael Pratt #7 of the Tulane Green Wave in action against the University of Southern Alabama at Yulman Stadium on September 02, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Pratt is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in this draft, with 44 starts over the last four years under his belt. He is technically sound and can get the ball where it needs to be when it needs to be there in the short and intermediate parts of the field from a clean pocket. However he doesn’t have a big arm, and won’t be able to win consistently with his athleticism at the NFL level.
For the Patriots, Pratt could be a candidate for a quarterback double-dip. He projects as a high-level NFL backup, with a chance to push for a starting role in the right situation. As a prospect, there are some similarities to Bailey Zappe.
