The 2023 NFL season has been one to forget for the New England Patriots.
A win in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers was just a third of the season for New England, who improved to 3-10 with the victory.
Despite the win, the Patriots continue to have the second worst record in the NFL - behind the 1-12 Carolina Panthers - and are on course to have the second pick in next year's draft.
If the Patriots do end up with one of the top three picks in 2024, it will be their highest draft selection since taking Drew Bledsoe with the first pick back in 1993.
The Patriots need help in several positions, but a new franchise quarterback looks set to be the priority. DAZN looks at three possible selections for the New England Patriots' first round pick.
Drake Maye - QB North Carolina
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye has this week declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, and he is expected to be among the first players taken off the board.
Maye has the makings of a classic NFL quarterback, a pocket passer at 6'4" and 230lbs with a rocket arm.
The 21-year-old topped 8,000 passing yards in college with a 65% completion rate for 63 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also rushed for another 16 touchdowns showing his dual-threat ability.
New England have not looked out of their depth on defense in 2023, it has been on offense where their real struggles have lied. In Week 13 they became the first team in NFL history to concede 10 points or fewer in three straight weeks and lose all three games.
The Chicago Bears - who currently have the number one overall pick - could also be in the market for a quarterback, but thankfully for the Patriots there is another obvious target at the position.
Caleb Williams - QB USC
It has long been predicted that USC quarterback Caleb Williams will be the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but after a 2023 season which highlighted a few weaknesses in his game things are less clear.
Throughout his college career, Williams has thrown for over 10,000 yards while completing 67% of his pass attempts - for 93 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Williams had a total of 41 touchdowns in 2023, and has the mobility and vision to be a top quarterback in the NFL - not to mention his accuracy and arm strength.
If the Patriots are set on making Williams their next franchise quarterback, they may need to trade with the Bears for the first pick - similar to what the Panthers did to acquire Bryce Young in 2023.
The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner will be difficult to pass up for the Bears with the number one pick, but even if Chicago do select Williams the Patriots still have a decision to make.
Jayden Daniels - QB LSU
Maye and Williams are the consensus top two quarterbacks who are expected to be in the 2024 NFL Draft, but after a stellar 2023 campaign, LSU's Jayden Daniels has been rising up mock draft boards.
Daniels improved and impressed so much this past season he won the 2023 Heisman Trophy, with deep ball accuracy perhaps the most eye-catching quality of the young quarterback.
The 22-year-old exploded for 50 touchdowns this past season, and his dual-threat ability will make him a prime target for franchises in need of a new quarterback.
Specifically, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns - with just four interceptions - while also notching up 1,134 rushing yards and an additional 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Passing up the opportunity to draft Williams and Maye could prove too big a risk for the Patriots, but keep an eye on Daniels when he enters the NFL, he could be something special.