Patriots linked with QB at No. 3. But it isn't Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels

Many NFL analysts believe the New England Patriots will spend the third overall pick of the 2024 draft to grab whichever one of the perceived top-three quarterbacks falls to them between Caleb Williams (USC), Jayden Daniels (LSU) and Drake Maye (North Carolina).

However, league and Patriots insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday that the Pats "are exploring all their options at quarterback." Specifically, Breer said he "wouldn’t totally dismiss the idea of" New England either trading down in the draft order or using pick No. 3 to grab Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

McCarthy entered the combine as the fourth-best prospect at the position in the eyes of multiple analysts, and Breer wrote that the signal-caller's "momentum coming into Indianapolis carried through" after he displayed his arm strength during a workout. 

Breer also repeated a previous report and said "it’s fair to consider" Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield as an option for New England. However, the Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans agreed to a new deal on Monday that could allow Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht to retain Mayfield's rights for 2024 via the franchise tag. 

Teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to use their tags. 

According to Mike Cole of NESN, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that "there is a real chance that some teams consider" McCarthy as the third-best quarterback in this draft class and "closer to the top three than maybe we realized." If it's true that the Patriots would consider drafting McCarthy over Daniels or Maye, New England may not be able to slide too far down the draft order and still end up with the national champion. 

The New York Giants reportedly could think about trading up from the sixth overall pick for a quarterback, or they could "reach" for McCarthy at No. 6. Meanwhile, Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports predicted in a mock draft updated on Monday afternoon that New England will take McCarthy at choice No. 3. Wilson also mocked the Minnesota Vikings trading up to the fifth overall pick to take Maye.