Many are looking toward 2024 when it comes to the Patriots after a 2-7 start to the season. New England is positioning itself for a high draft pick, which could be used to select a quarterback if the team wants to move on from Mac Jones — who hasn’t taken a step forward in an important Year 3.
If you ask one former Super Bowl champ, though, he’s not sold on the Patriots targeting a QB.
On the latest episode of “Eye On Foxborough,” Super Bowl XLIX champion and current Pac-12 analyst Shane Vereen joined MassLive Patriots reporter Karen Guregian to talk everything from New England’s start to the season, Bill Belichick’s future and who the Pats should target at the 2024 NFL Draft.
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“If you’re the Patriots with the five pick, I would take Rome Odunze, who’s the receiver for the (Universty of Washington) Huskies. He is phenomenal,” Vereen said. “He’s arguably the best receiver in college football. … I think Rome Odunze is a game changer. He’s a big playmaker, he runs great routes, he’s always open. And I think that’s the piece that we were talking about earlier with the Patriots offense. That’s the piece I think that could help Mac, that’s the piece that can help the entire offense. … That I think would definitely open things up and that would give, in my opinion, that would give Mac a true shot, a true evaluation of who he is as a quarterback with some serious threats on the outside.”
During the 2022 season, Odunze amassed 1,145 receiving yards. He also led the Pac-12 in receiving yards. Odunze is already more than halfway to his 2022 mark with 608 in 2023. On paper, he certainly looks like he’d be a good fit for New England, especially given the lack of luck the team has had when it comes to drafting wide receivers.
But the Patriots first have to decide if they want to move forward with Jones for another year and give some true, explosive weapons.
There’s still half a season to play, and the 2024 NFL Draft doesn’t begin until April 25. A lot can change between now and then, but it will certainly be interesting to see which direction the Patriots decide to go.
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