Five players the Patriots should focus on in the NFL Draft

2. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina Tar Heels

Another name for the Patriots to consider is UNC quarterback Drake Maye. 

Maye — who possesses elite arm talent and mobility — has a similar play style and talent level to Williams. In two years as a starter, Maye has averaged over 30 touchdowns and 3,900 passing yards a season. He is miles better than any names currently in New England's quarterback room and would be a phenomenal addition to the offense. 

Maye's 6-foot-4 and 230-pound stature means that his physicality will also be an upside to his game, which is exactly what the Patriots need at signal-caller.

3. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State Buckeyes

If the Patriots acquire a starting quarterback via free agency, then their focus on the draft will be much different. An offensive tackle or wide receiver may become a plausible selection. 

Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was justifiably called "the most outstanding player in the country" by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. In 2022 and 2023, Harrison Jr. racked up 14 touchdowns and over 1,200 receiving yards, and he is a current Heisman contender. 

The Patriots' last receiver to accumulate over 1,000 yards in a season was Julian Edelman in 2019 (1,117). Harrison Jr. is New England's best chance to flip that trend, and, paired with a decent quarterback, he can make the Patriots' offense the dynamic, powerful group it once was. 

4. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

LSU receiver Malik Nabers had PFF's No. 1 2023 season grade (93) and has the explosiveness New England has been missing for several seasons. 

In 2023, Nabers racked up 1,546 yards to 14 touchdowns. He was a key piece in LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels' historic and potentially Heisman-winning 2023 campaign. 

Although he is not considered of the same caliber as Harrison Jr., Nabers still possesses the ability to catapult the Patriots' offense in a positive direction, and he would be an excellent addition. The Patriots will certainly consider Nabers as a selection should he be available.

5. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, T, Penn State

If the quarterback need is addressed, tackle could be atop New England's draft board as well. 6-foot-6 Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu has an upside that the Patriots have recently been lacking. 

Fashanu was named the Rimington–Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023. He is considered the consensus best tackle prospect for 2024. 

With Patriots starting tackle Trent Brown poised to leave in the 2024 offseason, Fashanu serves as a potential replacement who could develop into one of the league's best in the future.

The upcoming draft is crucial for the Patriots. They will have a lot of different names and positions to choose from, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out.