With the NFL Combine coming up this week in Indianapolis, the New England Patriots are sitting with the third overall pick in the NFL draft. After a 4-13 season that featured a talentless, anemic offense, it is apparent the offense can’t move with Mac Jones or Bailey Zappe as the team’s signal caller. Whether it be in free agency, the draft, or both, the position needs new blood. If New England decides to trade the third pick or draft another position, they will need to find a quarterback at some point.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 19: Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter of the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye should come off the boards early, if not top three. JJ McCarthey could go in the first or early second round. Patriots fans know you can get a pretty good player late in the draft. They once hit on a certain guy at pick 199. Matt Cassel made a lot of money in this league as a former seventh-round pick. The San Francisco 49ers struck gold with Brock Purdy as the last selection in the 2022 draft; he just went to the Super Bowl. Dak Prescott went off the boards in the fourth round. There are a few names here that could make waves on Sundays.
So let’s take a look at who could surprise in the 2024 draft.
Spencer Rattler, University of South Carolina
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Quarterback Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners scrambles against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Spencer Rattler was a highly regarded quarterback coming into his freshman year at Oklahoma. He redshirted that season as Jalen Hurts was the starter. The following year, Rattler took over and was proving to be worth the hype. Rattler had an impressive season with 28 touchdowns for 3,031 yards and only 7 interceptions. Things went the other way for Rattler the following year in Norman, and he transferred to South Carolina. That season, things got even worse. Rattler bounced back this season. He threw the same number of passes, and his interceptions went down. Spencer had an excellent week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl. He was about the only quarterback that made a name for himself that week. Others like Pennix, Nix, Milton, and Sam Hartman hurt their stock. If Rattler can come in and sit a year, he has the potential to be a starter. He will need to work on issues like holding the ball too long and being a more consistent performer at the position.
Michael Pratt, Tulane University
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 15: Michael Pratt #7 of the Tulane Green Wave passes during a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Michael Pratt has led Tulane to a lot of success in the last few seasons. He started for 4 years for the Green Wave. In 2022, Tulane went 12-2 and won the Cotton Bowl over a Caleb Williams-led USC squad. This past season, they went 11-3, with 22 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He can also run and extend plays. Pratt rushed for 5 scores this year. One of my favorite things about Pratt is he doesn’t turn over the ball much. It’s been a few years since he had a multi-interception game. He has the size needed in the NFL at 6’3” 220 lbs. What he lacks in arm strength, he makes up with accuracy, toughness, and the ability to move his feet. He has the velocity on his throws to be successful at the next level. His deep ball is where he lacks strength.
Jordan Travis, Florida State University
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – SEPTEMBER 23: Jordan Travis #13 of the Florida State Seminoles looks to pass the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter at Memorial Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Getty Images)
Jordan Travis’s career at FSU ended earlier than he wanted. Travis injured his ankle and had it surgically repaired. He leaves the Seminoles with 66 touchdowns and 20 interceptions in his career. The most interceptions he had in a season was six. This past year, he had only two. Travis is a very good athlete and can extend plays with his legs. He has good velocity on his throws. His deep ball needs work. Jordan would be best suited with a year on the bench in the NFL. You wish he was a little bigger at 6’1” 212 lbs. Jordan Travis could be a steal for a team in the third round if he checks out medically.
