The Patriots entered the 2024 NFL Draft looking for an upgrade at quarterback. They got one with the No. 3 overall pick in UNC quarterback Drake Maye.
Then, they got another one later when they spent the 193rd overall pick on Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton.
Milton, 24, is a cannon-armed prospect with all the tools needed to be a serviceable starting quarterback. He is still developing and needs to hone his accuracy at the NFL level to reach his full potential, but his NFL Combine performance — during which he threw a pass 71.8 yards in the air — was enough to get coaches across the NFL drooling.
Still, that the Patriots chose two quarterbacks in the draft was somewhat of a surprise. They already signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett during the offseason and had Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke in the quarterback room, as well, so adding a second rookie wasn't expected.
Here's why the Patriots decided to pair Milton and Maye in a total re-do of the quarterback room.
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Why did the Patriots draft Joe Milton and Drake Maye?
The Patriots selected Milton in addition to Maye in a move that is apparently about starting fresh in the quarterback room. The team already traded Mac Jones during the 2024 offseason, and Maye is expected to replace him as the team's long-term starter.
As for Milton, he could replace Zappe as the team's developmental, third-string quarterback behind Maye and Jacoby Brissett. The Patriots may want to move on from Zappe, who is "likely available in a trade if it makes sense," per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
That isn't much of a surprise. The Patriots released Zappe before the 2023 season only to bring him back a couple of days later on the practice squad. He ended up replacing Jones after his benching, but Zappe posted a 2-4 record in six starts while completing just 59.9 percent of his passes for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
Zappe's performance — along with the fact that no team claimed him on waivers after his release last season — makes it doubtful that another team would trade an asset of significance for him. Still, the Patriots may try to see what they can get in exchange for him as he continues to slip down the quarterback depth chart.
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Patriots QB depth chart
The Patriots are currently five deep at the quarterback position. Here's how they are stacking up entering the 2024 NFL season:
1. Jacoby Brissett
The Patriots drafted two quarterbacks to serve as the future of their franchise, but Brissett figures to be the team's starter to begin the 2024 season. The veteran inked a one-year, $8 million deal during the offseason to serve as a stopgap starter in front of their new rookie starter.
Brissett's presence will allow Maye to develop behind him until the UNC product is ready to start. Brissett has a career record of 18-30 as a starter but completed 64 percent of his passes for 2,608 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions in 11 starts for the Browns in 2022. If he puts up numbers like that, he should allow the Patriots to be far more competitive than they were last season.
2. Drake Maye
Maye was the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could be the team's starter before the end of the season. That said, he needs to work a bit on his accuracy and mechanics to be an upper-tier starter in the NFL. Brissett's presence gives him time to do that.
But once Maye hits the field, his arm strength and mobility could turn him into an excellent playmaker at the NFL level.
3. Joe Milton
Milton has a massive arm and a 6-5 frame that makes him one of the most potential-packed passers in the 2024 NFL Draft. He needs a lot of time to work on his accuracy, but he could eventually become a starter at the NFL level. If not, he may peak as a developmental backup who can make some splash plays downfield.
4. Bailey Zappe
Zappe has shown that he can be an efficient game manager at the NFL level at his best. At his worst, he struggles with turnovers and doesn't have the same high-level ball placement and accuracy that other solid backups have.
It isn't clear whether Zappe will make the Patriots team. If he doesn't, he may appeal to other NFL teams as a third-stringer. If none consider him in such a capacity, the Patriots could try to keep him on the practice squad.
5. Nathan Rourke
Rourke was New England's third-string quarterback last season, but he didn't take a snap for the Patriots despite their issues at quarterback. The former CFL star could make a run at a practice squad spot, but he may also lose his roster spot with both Maye and Milton joining the fold during the 2024 NFL Draft.
