Patriots trade down, reunite college teammates in latest mock draft

The Patriots have major questions at quarterback and wide receiver after trading QB Mac Jones to the Jaguars and only signing one new WR, K.J. Osborn, in free agency.

However, CBS Sports' Kyle Stackpole believes New England could address both positions with college teammates in his latest mock draft.

The Patriots currently own the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but Stackpole projects they will strike a deal with the Vikings, who would send them their two first-round picks (Nos. 11 and 23).

"Of teams with top-three picks, it seems as though the Patriots have the weakest roster," Stackpole writes. "So, while New England badly wants to find a long-term successor to Tom Brady, it opts to trade back eight spots and acquire valuable assets it can use to build out its team under new head coach Jerod Mayo."

With pick No. 11, New England then selects Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze.

"The Patriots reportedly tried to land Calvin Ridley in free agency, but the star WR ended up signing with the Titans," Stackpole wrote. "New England's consolation prize at WR1 is the powerful and productive Rome Odunze."

Many experts have projected Odunze to be taken in the top 10, but if several quarterback-needy teams are looking to trade up to land one of the draft's top signal-callers, the Washington product could fall.

If Odunze does, he would be quite the consolation prize for the Patriots after posting 167 catches for 2,785 yards and 20 touchdowns from 2022-23.

Last season, New England didn't have a receiver eclipse 600 yards receiving. Odunze could immediately change that as a rookie.

Then with pick No. 23, the Patriots draft Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

"The Patriots traded back, used the extra pick to snag a No. 1 WR, and now get that wideout his college QB in Michael Penix Jr.," Stackpole wrote. "The main concern for the Heisman Trophy finalist was his medical history."

Penix Jr. suffered several injuries to begin his collegiate career, tearing his ACL twice during his time at Indiana (2018-20). However, he is an intriguing option after throwing for 9,544 yards, 67 touchdowns and 19 interceptions from 2022-23 and he looked healthy during his workout at the NFL Scouting Combine.

If New England feels good about his medicals, it may get one of the draft's biggest steals while pairing him with his talented college teammate who he already has great rapport with.