Patriots' Eliot Wolf discusses making blockbuster NFL Draft trade

New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf spoke with reporters on Thursday morning and indicated everything is on the table regarding the club holding the third pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

"We’re open to anything — moving up, moving down," Wolf explained, according to Sean T. McGuire of NESN. "We’re open for business in the first round and in every round." 

Assuming the Chicago Bears make USC star Caleb Williams the draft's first pick, most analysts have predicted that New England will select LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, North Carolina signal-caller Drake Maye or Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy at No. 3. The Washington Commanders hold the draft's second pick and are expected to spend that asset on one of those three players. 

It was thought during and after the scouting combine that a Patriots team that finished this past season at 4-13 could trade down in the draft order, acquire needed assets for their rebuild and still leave the first round with a quarterback such as Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix. However, multiple beat reporters have since poured cold water over the idea of New England trading down.

"We have some holes we feel we have to fill in the draft," Wolf said. "And we’re a draft-and-develop team. The more picks we have the better. But if there’s an opportunity to move up and strike, if the board recommends it, then we won’t be afraid to pull the trigger on that either." 

Specifically, the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos have been linked with a potential trade involving the third pick. According to Jason Ounpraseuth of NESN, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported on April 4 that "it's going to take a lot more than" three first-round picks for New England to sell choice No. 3. 

Wolf added on Thursday that "there have been conversations that have taken place" with other clubs about the third pick. He also indicated he doesn't feel like he has to end the first round with a rookie quarterback.

As of late Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Maye as the betting favorite at -160 odds to be the draft's third pick. It remains to be seen if the Patriots will stay on the board at No. 3 through next Thursday night.