The NFL Draft is fast approaching, and with it comes the end of Mock Draft Season™. Amidst the flurry of mock drafts being published, Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline has stirred up some excitement with his latest prediction for the New England Patriots. In his mock draft, Pauline has the Patriots selecting Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the No. 3 overall pick.
While some may question McCarthy’s potential as a top-10 selection, Pauline notes that the buzz surrounding McCarthy to New England was strong during pro-day circuits. De facto general manager Eliot Wolf is reportedly advocating for McCarthy, touting his upside as one of the best in the draft.
The mock draft also sees Caleb Williams going to the Bears at No. 1, Jayden Daniels to the Commanders at No. 2, and Drake Maye to the Vikings at No. 4 after a trade with Arizona. However, the likelihood of the Patriots actually selecting McCarthy at No. 3 remains uncertain.
While McCarthy’s rise up draft boards is notable, it’s questionable whether the Patriots would use their high pick on him when other top quarterback prospects like Maye and Daniels are also available. The speculation and forecasting will continue until the draft on April 25, where the true answers will finally be revealed. Stay tuned for more updates as the NFL Draft draws near.