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Gronk reveals who he wants Patriots to draft in first round

Rob Gronkowski. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Rob Gronkowski has innovative suggestion for who Patriots should draft in first round

By Colum Dell | Last updated 2/7/24

The New England Patriots are entering a new era in franchise history, and their immediate future will be determined by who they select with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Although the team's quarterback situation is concerning, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski believes they can get by without addressing the position in the first round.

Speaking to reporters while promoting his "Kick of Destiny 2 " with FanDuel, Gronkowski suggested the Patriots should select Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., assuming top signal-callers Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are off the board.

"If Drake Maye or Caleb Williams is already taken off the board, I think a for-sure pick, a for-sure lock that won't be a bust — that's going to do big things right from the beginning — is Marvin Harrison Jr. at the wide receiver position," the four-time Super Bowl champion said. “He’s an explosive player.”

Gronk weighs in on who the Patriots should select with the third overall pick in the NFL Draft @heykayadams @RobGronkowski pic.twitter.com/qhiJlZTEVT
— NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSBoston) February 7, 2024

Harrison, the 2023 Biletnikoff Award winner and arguably one of the most talented wide receiver prospects ever, caught 144 passes for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns for the Buckeyes over the past two seasons.

While the draft will be determined by what the Chicago Bears do with QB Justin Fields, the expectation is that they'll reset at the position and draft Williams No. 1 overall. The Washington Commanders, who are slated to pick second overall, could also use a fresh start at quarterback. This would leave New England with either Maye or LSU's Jayden Daniels as options at quarterback if its new regime wants to move on from Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, both under contract for next season.

The Patriots must upgrade their quarterback room this offseason, especially since Jones and Zappe combined for 3,392 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in a season where the Patriots offense ranked 31st in scoring and 30th in yardage. However, that doesn't mean New England should spend its first-round pick on a rookie signal-caller and pass on a talent like Harrison.

New England's disastrous offensive performance this season (and over the past few years) shouldn't entirely be blamed on its play at quarterback, as there are holes at several different positions. Considering the Patriots have a questionable offensive line and the fact their leading receiver this season was sixth-round rookie Demario Douglas with only 561 yards, it's fair to argue that they lack the environment to support a rookie quarterback.

We've seen just how bad a rookie quarterback can be without talent around him, with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers being the latest example.

Rather than hoping the third-best quarterback prospect pans out and solves most of your problems, the Patriots should consider signing a veteran like Gardner Minshew II in free agency and draft Harrison, as Gronkowski hopes. Minshew could provide competent quarterbacking for the short term, while New England bolsters its offense for whoever the long-term answer at the position is.

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