Patriots
Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix are each ranked top-5 in ESPN’s 2024 NFL draft quarterback rankings.
The Patriots appear to be trying forward on the 2024 NFL draft class getting into Week 6 of the 2023-24 season.
In keeping with ESPN’s Pete Thamel, New England is amongst quite a few organizations anticipated to have scouts available in Seattle when the Washington Huskies host the Oregon Geese on Saturday afternoon.
Each faculties characteristic quarterbacks who’re already categorized as prime gamers at their place getting into subsequent 12 months’s draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper positioned No. 7 Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. as his fourth-ranked quarterback in his latest 2024 draft rankings. Kiper named No. 8 Oregon’s Bo Nix as his fifth-best quarterback in subsequent 12 months’s class.
With an unstable quarterback state of affairs within the Patriots’ constructing between starter Mac Jones’s abysmal performances via 5 video games this season and backup Bailey Zappe’s uninspiring appearances in back-to-back fourth quarters, maybe the 1-4 staff is hoping to get a head begin in gathering details about 2024’s prime signal-callers.
Nix, a senior at Oregon, has accomplished 80.4 p.c of his passes via 5 video games. He leads the nation in that class. The 2022 switch from Auburn has already logged 1,459 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and only one interception with the Geese this 12 months.
Oregon head coach Dan Lanning raved about Nix to On3.com Thursday, and has a historical past of praising his quarterback since transferring to the northwest.
“You’ve got 10 coaches in your employees. With Bo, I really feel like we have now one other coach,” Lanning stated. “When he goes on the market, he sees the sport how we see it. He’s attempting to perform what we wish achieved offensively. Clearly, he’s a really proficient participant and has a aggressive edge that I’ve by no means been round earlier than.”
Lanning stated throughout Pac-12’s media day this summer season that Nix even babysits his kids.
“Bo’s not simply our quarterback, he’s additionally my babysitter,” Lanning stated. “I walked in the home the opposite day…Bo’s in the lounge. And I’m like, ‘What are you as much as man?’ He goes, ‘Oh the boys simply completed basketball apply, they’re preparing for mattress.’ So there’s a singular connection there nevertheless it’s extra than simply soccer. He’s a member of the household.”
Nix underwent surgical procedure for a damaged ankle in November 2021 and handled a foot harm on the finish of final season. Nevertheless, he has stayed wholesome to start out the 2023 season.
As for Penix Jr., the Huskies’ quarterback is equally placing up spectacular numbers this season. The senior has accomplished 74.7 p.c of his passes and owns a 196.5 score via 5 video games. Penix Jr. has thrown 1,999 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and solely two interceptions. His practically 2,000 yards within the air is sweet for second-most within the nation getting into Saturday.
Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer is spearheading Penix Jr.’s case to win the Heisman trophy and he’s the present betting favourite to take residence the {hardware}. DeBoer appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday and even gifted the host a shirt that stated “Penix for Heisman”.
“I feel he’s simply continued to develop,” DeBoer stated of Penix Jr. “The adversity that’s come his manner, he’s simply taken it on and understanding that I’m gonna management what I can management and that’s what I’m going to give attention to…I feel every day, you possibly can see items of his previous and the way he’s responded and continued to return out. And that features on gameday, when issues aren’t going your manner as a staff, him rising to the event, taking advantage of the second, and taking part in within the current.”
Penix Jr.’s aforementioned adversity refers back to the variety of accidents the quarterback has endured over his school profession. The 23-year-old has torn his proper ACL twice, as soon as in 2018 and once more in 2020. Penix Jr. additionally suffered an SC joint harm in 2019 after which an AC joint separation in 2021.
New England will resolve whether or not or to not train Mac Jones’s fifth-year possibility on his rookie contract by Might 2024, with the draft happening between April 25-27. For reference, New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones had his possibility declined in April 2022, however agreed to a four-year, $82 million extension in March 2023. His fifth-year possibility would have value the Giants below $23 million for the 2023 season alone.
Proper now, Mac Jones’s future with the Patriots appears unsure. New England could also be trying forward on the quarterback place early no matter how their present starter performs the remainder of his season.
Join Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout soccer season.