It got here as no shock when the New England Patriots used the No. 3 total choose within the 2024 NFL Draft on former North Carolina QB Drake Maye.
It was stunning, nonetheless, when the staff determined to draft a second quarterback, choosing Tennessee’s Joe Milton III with choose No. 193 within the sixth spherical.
The Patriots had been the one staff to draft two quarterbacks, proving it was a little bit of an unconventional transfer. Government Eliot Wolf, who has served as New England’s de facto common supervisor, nonetheless stands by the choice.
“It was simply a kind of picks the place there was an excessive amount of expertise in him to move that up,” Wolf said on “The Adam Schefter Podcast.”
Milton does ooze with expertise. He showcased his large arm all through the predraft course of and through the 2023 season when he threw for two,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and simply 5 interceptions.
Nonetheless, he comes at a raffle, therefore his sixth-round grade. The Tennessee product has struggled with accuracy, finishing 61.5% of his passes at Michigan and Tennessee.
“He is bought shades of Cam Newton primarily based on his potential — however his soccer acumen and his accuracy are points,” a scout told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. “Simply would not have the texture for the sport or the place that you just’d prefer to see.”
Milton might want to clear these issues up sooner moderately than later if he hopes to make the Patriots’ 53-man roster by summer season’s finish. He’s becoming a member of a crowded room that features Maye, Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe.
Nonetheless, Wolf acknowledged Milton is extra of a challenge piece.
“He is 6-5, 245 kilos. He is bought a rocket for an arm. He is athletic,” Wolf added. “We really feel like there’s some issues that we will work with and develop.”
Ideally, New England won’t ever see Milton on the sphere if Maye performs the best way he is alleged to. On the similar time, there is no arguing Milton’s sky-high potential.