Are the Patriots telegraphing their moves with the No. 3 pick? Let's read between the lines. - The Boston Globe

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They have been so transparent, in fact, that it borders on alarming. Are they on the level, or actually playing 3D chess?

Mayo drew a false start with his comment in January that the Patriots are ready to "burn some cash." Chalk it up to a man still excited to receive the opportunity of a lifetime as a head coach. The Patriots certainly spent some money on their own players, but landed only value free agents who didn't move the needle much.

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But the relative inaction shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone who has paid attention to Robert Kraft. He has been saying since 2022 that the team's 2021 spending spree was not a wise investment, and he wants to rebuild through the draft.

We'll have to wait until the first round April 25 to know for sure. But if Mayo and Wolf (and Kraft) are on the level, then it's not too difficult to discern the plans with the roster and the No. 3 overall pick.

1. They want a rookie quarterback. This one can almost be filed under "No duh." But there is a decent argument to be made for drafting an elite receiver or left tackle at No. 3, because the roster is so devoid of talent that it could help ruin a rookie QB.

Still, when the owner says he wants to draft a quarterback, you can guess where it will lead.

"I'll let the team make the decision with what they think is best, one way or another, I'd like to see us get a top-rate young quarterback," Kraft said Tuesday. "You can't win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach."

Washington's Michael Penix Jr. (left) and Oregon's Bo Nix (right), the quarterbacks for the two Pac-12 finalists last season, figure to be selected within the first two rounds in this year's NFL Draft.Ian Maule/Getty

2. They are open to trading No. 3 — as long as they still get a QB. The Patriots have a lot of premium holes to fill — quarterback, left tackle, No. 1 receiver, depth at tight end, the offensive line, and all across the defense. They have premium picks at Nos. 3, 34, and 68, but they need even more.

The competition for the top quarterbacks in this draft could be fierce, and the Patriots are in prime position at No. 3.

Recent history suggests that a team can get as many as three first-round picks for trading a pick as high as No. 3. And the Patriots are not in a position to turn down such a haul.

"We're open to trading the pick," Mayo said. "If someone offers a bag, as we would say, a lot of first-round picks, we definitely have to talk about those things as we continue to put together this team."

But it seems they will do it only if they feel confident they can still get one of the top quarterbacks — either J.J. McCarthy, Bo Nix, or Michael Penix Jr., all projected to go anywhere from the top five to the top of the second round.

"Look, one way or another, we know at some point we're going to get a young quarterback who will be gifted," Kraft said. "Fortunately, there is a number of them in this draft. Where we take that position will depend on what comes to us. But I hope our personnel people do a good job in that area and I really believe we have the coaching to support that."

While the Patriots certainly could target a quarterback in the second or third round, Wolf is a firm believer that the first round is best for finding franchise QBs. Of the 26 quarterback jobs currently settled in the NFL, 18 of them belong to former first-round picks.

"I think there's exceptions to be had — Dak [Prescott], [Brock] Purdy, [Tom] Brady," Wolf said at the NFL Combine. But "when you look throughout the league, most of the quarterbacks are first-rounders."

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye impressed many — including the Patriots — during the NFL Combine.Michael Conroy/Associated Press

3. They seem to like Drake Maye. If the Patriots don't get that big trade offer and stick at No. 3, it's hard to gauge whom they will pick, considering that Washington at No. 2 is also likely to draft a quarterback.

Mayo perhaps tipped his hand Monday when he noted that the Patriots had conducted only a Zoom interview with LSU's Jayden Daniels, while praising the in-person interview they had at the combine with Maye.

"Drake Maye had a fantastic interview at the combine," Mayo said. "He brings a lot of energy. You can tell he has that leadership ability. And also the exciting part about a guy like Drake Maye, there is really no ceiling with a guy like that."

The Patriots' lack of work on Daniels may reflect the belief held by many that the Commanders have their sights set on him at No. 2. Of course, the Patriots were set to meet with Daniels Wednesday at LSU's Pro Day. And they could be setting elaborate smokescreens by talking up Maye and downplaying their interest in Daniels. This one will be fascinating to track come draft time.

Jacoby Brissett will be wearing Patriots colors again, eight years after his rookie season in New England.Steven Senne

4. Jacoby Brissett is like a coach on the field. The Patriots brought back the 31-year-old veteran to lead the quarterback room. Brissett certainly could start the season and maybe even last 18 weeks, but the Patriots view him mostly as a mentor and player/coach.

"He's worked with a lot of guys on our staff currently, and so anytime you can get a player that is also a coach is beneficial," Mayo said. "He's going to help as far as the installs and things like that. And look, he has the tools to be a good quarterback. I look forward to working with him."

Ben Volin can be reached at ben.volin@globe.com.

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