Trade Pitch Has Patriots Sending Second-Year QB to Las Vegas.
When the Las Vegas Raiders acquired quarterback Geno Smith from the Seattle Seahawks, they did so knowing he wouldn’t be the long-term solution at the most important position in sports. With the only other quarterbacks on the roster being Aidan O’Connell and Carter Bradley, the Raiders could use some untapped potential to back up Smith.
Enter New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III. The 193rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is behind the third overall pick on the depth chart, Drake Maye, and it’s clear New England is turning the keys of the franchise over to him. After signing journeyman backup Josh Dobbs to a deal earlier in free agency, Milton may be expendable.
Milton has one of the strongest arms in football, has the athleticism to move around in the pocket, and even showed some promise as a starter in the Patriots Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. With the caveat of Buffalo resting some starters, Milton completed 22 of his 29 pass attempts, passed for 241 yards, and accounted for two touchdowns running one in and passing for another. On that lone passing touchdown, Milton threw the second-hardest pass in NFL history, clocking in at 61.71 miles per hour.
It was reported by ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi the Patriots are looking for a third-round pick before they would even consider moving Milton, however, considering that was the cost of acquiring Smith earlier in March that price will have to come down if New England is serious about acquiring assets for a player they don’t plan on seeing the field anytime soon.
The Raiders should be in the business of acquiring talented up-and-coming players, and Milton fits that bill. A day-three draft pick may be able to get that deal done as the NFL Draft approaches, and New England, with holes to still fill on their roster, should try to stockpile as much draft capital as possible.