The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the Patriots, most notably at quarterback. Mac Jones has seen highs and lows, including multiple benchings and a brief resurgence, showing his best QBR since his rookie year in a notable win. Only to get benched a couple more times on his way to losing the starting job. Meanwhile, Bailey Zappe stepped in amidst the chaos, bringing a much-needed spark and securing wins in half of his games since being named starter.
Zappe’s latest game was a standout; without his favorite target, Hunter Henry, he delivered an efficient 256 yards and two touchdowns in a win against the Denver Broncos. The second year quarterback went 25-33 without an interception and earned himself a 117 passer rating.
Finding Foxborough’s Next Field General
With all that being said, the Patriots are going to finish with no worse than the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. ESPN’s FPI gives the Patriots a 94.5% chance to finish the season with a top-five pick, giving the Patriots a chance to take one of the top signal-callers coming out of college. Though Bailey Zappe has certainly been better than Mac Jones this season, that isn’t the bar for a franchise quarterback – especially in New England.
With the Raiders getting to 7 wins, the worst pick the #Patriots can get is #9. If they split their last two, they can do no worse than #7. If they lose out, they finish top-4.
— Nick Cattles (@NickCRadio) December 25, 2023
There’s a significant chance that the Patriots win against the Broncos keeps them out of the top-three picks. With that, it’s also likely that both USC’s Caleb Williams and UNC’s Drake Maye will be taken off the board by the time the Patriots pick comes around. Looking ahead to the draft, here’s a closer look at three quarterbacks the Patriots should strongly consider taking, assuming both Williams and Maye are off the board.
Jayden Daniels (LSU)
Jayden Daniels, coming out of LSU, has cemented himself as a quarterback to watch, thanks to his exceptional athleticism and an arm that can make all the necessary throws. His ability to zip through defenses and deliver precise deep balls is the stuff of highlight reels. Daniels’ play on the field isn’t just about raw physical talent; his game-management skills and decision-making have shown noticeable growth, especially in this past season. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner has all the qualities of an elite NFL quarterback and the kind of playmaker who can turn a game on its head with one play.
Yet, like any emerging talent, Daniels has room for improvement. His consistency in the pocket and ability to work through progressions could use a little refinement for the jump to the NFL. While he’s shown he can deliver under situational pressure, he doesn’t have much tape of him standing in a chaos-filled pocket and staying in there to deliver the throw. Daniels can also occasionally get caught trying to rush some of the quick-hitting throws and it can really throw off his accuracy. Even so, he’s a player who has an incredibly high ceiling with the mix of athleticism and arm talent that he possesses. Coming to the Patriots, he would shift the whole dynamic of the offense before even putting on a jersey.
Bo Nix (Oregon)
Bo Nix has been turning heads as a quarterback for the Oregon Ducks with a killer combo of arm talent and ironclad leadership. With an incredibly quick release and smart decisions, Nix knows how to keep the play alive without biting off more than he can chew. When he’s throwing on the move you’ll see a multitude of different arm angles, while still keeping really good form with his lower half. Nix’s arm strength coupled with his surprising speed makes him a threat for a big play at all times. If the deep ball is covered well, there’s likely some room to move underneath, and he takes advantage. Speaking of those deep throws — Nix has the power to throw it over the top of the defense, stretching them thin and racking up yardage.
The most experienced quarterback in college football history (60 starts) isn’t without his weak spots. Give him too much time in the pocket and he can start to look a bit frantic, sometimes rushing his throws. These rushed throws usually end up coming off of his back foot which can lead to trouble — as Patriots fans know all too well. What might be most impressive, though, is his heads-up play. He knows when a play is dead and isn’t willing to risk a turnover. Nix will just toss it out of bounds or into the dirt, regroup, and come back strong the next down. Coming with that much experience, if he can smooth out those rough edges, there’s no telling how far he’ll go.
Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)
Michael Penix Jr. from Washington gained a lot of attention this year with his rocket arm and cool demeanor in the pocket. The Heisman Trophy runner-up can make throws to any part of the field, especially when he gets his feet set. Penix has great rhythm in the pocket; like a well-oiled machine, staying unflustered in the biggest moments of the biggest games. What really sets Penix apart is his top-tier accuracy. Fitting the ball into incredibly tight windows, or dropping a deep ball in a bucket seems to be no problem for him.
Penix isn’t without his challenges. While he’s far from a statue in the pocket, he’s not the guy to scramble for big yards — speed and agility aren’t his strong suits. There are times when he holds onto the ball a tad too long as he’s waiting for the play to develop. Ideally, you’d like to see him look to the check-down a little quicker when he’s getting rushed. When that pressure’s coming right up the middle, that’s when he’s most likely to get rattled. He’s solid when he’s aware of a blitz coming, but surprises can throw him off his game.
Despite these few hiccups, Penix’s ability to stand tall and deliver the ball even when he knows a hit’s coming speaks volumes about his toughness. He’s got a smart head on his shoulders, too, making decisions with the football that rarely put the ball in harm’s way. With some fine-tuning, especially speeding up his release, Penix has the makings of a quarterback who can not only make the big plays but also truly orchestrate an NFL offense. A seemingly coachable player, I think Penix would be a great fit for the Patriots under Bill Belichick.
CFP bound and still undefeated 👀
Highlights from Michael Penix Jr.'s Heisman-worthy season ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/nd5KE3S1Da
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) December 7, 2023
The End of the Patriots Quarterback Search?
As the Patriots gear up for a crucial draft, there’s a major focus on the search for a quarterback to lead Foxborough into its next era. A roller coaster of a season from their two starters will land the team with a chance to find a generational talent. Whether it’s Jayden Daniels’ athleticism, Bo Nix’s experience, or Michael Penix Jr.’s precision, each brings a unique skill set to the table. The right pick could redefine the team’s future. In a city accustomed to playoff success, something the team hasn’t had post-Tom Brady, there are high expectations to turn things around fast.
Main Image: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK
