The New England Patriots are in a strong position for the 2024 NFL Draft.
They are set to pick after the Chicago Bears, who will likely select USC quarterback Caleb Williams, and the Washington Commanders, who may choose between LSU’s Jayden Daniels or UNC’s Drake Maye. The Patriots could either stay put and benefit from the draft or secure a lucrative trade deal from a team in need of a quarterback.
If new head coach Jerod Mayo and the Patriots aren’t keen on the remaining quarterback options, there’s a chance New England could acquire one of the NFL’s top offensive weapons.
Could the New England Patriots Trade for Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson?
It may seem unlikely, but former NFL general manager Rick Spielman suggests the Patriots might be in a position to acquire one of the game’s most talented offensive stars.
Spielman told ESPN that the Patriots’ ideal scenario would be a deal from the Vikings that includes Justin Jefferson and multiple first-round picks.
“If a team wants the No. 3 pick, they’re aiming for a top player. So I’d demand a lot in return,” said Spielman, now an analyst for CBS Sports and the podcast “With The First Pick.”
“And if the Patriots need a quarterback, as they do, then the offer must be substantial for them to pass up a top quarterback and trade down. They would need to pay a premium.”
The Vikings have been positioning themselves for a significant trade to the top of the draft to select a top quarterback, and including Jefferson in such a deal would certainly count as a major move.
In his first four seasons, Jefferson has proven himself as one of the league’s most dynamic and complete receivers, catching 392 passes for 5,899 yards with 30 touchdowns while averaging 15 yards per reception.
Could a Justin Jefferson Trade Actually Work for the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings?
On the surface, it may seem improbable for the Vikings to trade Justin Jefferson and for the Patriots to pass on a quarterback, but there could be logic in such a scenario.
Minnesota has prepared for a post-Jefferson future by drafting Jordan Addison in the first round in 2023. If the Patriots are not convinced by the remaining quarterback options, acquiring multiple picks and a star to build around could be a good move.
The Vikings would need to be committed to the best remaining quarterback on the board, as their roster may just need a quarterback to contend in the NFC North. Meanwhile, Jefferson may be considered a luxury with Addison in the mix.
The Patriots still need to find a franchise quarterback, and this trade would provide them with resources to either trade back into the first round this year or stockpile draft capital for 2025.
Early in Mayo’s tenure, his priority must be to narrow the talent gap between the Patriots and their AFC East rivals, such as the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins. Jefferson would help them in this regard.
While this may be a “pipe dream” trade scenario, it could benefit both teams in the long run.
