New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye squintingDrake Maye (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)


The New England Patriots have added another quarterback from the NFL Draft this Saturday, having already selected a potential starter earlier in the week.

The Patriots chose former North Carolina Tar Heels star Drake Maye in the first round on Thursday night, making him the third overall pick. But they’ve dipped into the QB hat again this Saturday, taking Joe Milton III in the sixth round.

Milton, who was drafted out of Tennessee, began his college career with the Michigan Wolverines but transferred after three seasons. He spent another three years with the Volunteers and is now set for the pros after being selected as the 193rd overall pick.

The 24-year-old had the best season of his career in 2023, completing 64.7 percent of his passes for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns, and just five INTs. He helped Tennessee achieve an 8-4 record.

His arrival means the New England Patriots now have five QBs in their room.

The New England Patriots Have The Perfect Development Prospect On Their Roster

Joe Milton would have probably been an early first-round pick if it came down to arm strength. The Florida native boasts a launcher of an arm and can toss 60-yard bombs with a simple flick of his wrist.

Of course, there’s a lot more to the quarterback position than arm strength, so he would do well to slot in behind another QB to aid his development in the NFL.

The starting job should belong to either Maye or Jacoby Brissett in 2024. The Patriots still have Bailey Zapp on their roster, but they will likely move him now that they’ve picked another quarterback from the draft.