The Patriots have a big decision to make with their No. 3 pick in this year’s NFL draft. New England has a lot of glaring needs — including quarterback and wide receiver — that need to be filled if the team wants to bounce back from a dreadful 2023 season.
It’s unclear which direction the Patriots will go. Some mock drafts have them drafting a quarterback, while others have them taking Marvin Harrison Jr. While NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein has the Ohio State star going to New England in his first mock, he believes it’s possible to find a talented wideout later in the draft.
On the latest episode of “Eye On Foxborough,” Zierlein joined MassLive’s Karen Guregian and provided his take on the wide receiver class and whether the Patriots can still find someone to fill that role for them should they not select Harrison Jr.
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“Absolutely,” Zierlein said when asked if New England can find talent at the position outside of Day 1. “Guys like Ladd McConkey, potentially Roman Wilson, I think are two that stood out at the Senior Bowl. Javon Baker from Central Florida was another talented wide receiver. Yeah, I think wide receivers can be found outside of the first round. Historically we see that. The Green Bay Packers made a hit and have historically succeeded outside of the first round. So yeah, I think the second and potentially into the third you can still find starting receivers.”
The Patriots are set to begin a new era of football at Gillette Stadium between parting ways with Bill Belichick after 24 seasons and Eliot Wolf — who Zierlein said will be a “breath of fresh air” — seemingly leading the front office, so it will be interesting to see what they ultimately decide to do with the third pick come April 25.
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