FOXBORO, Mass. (WPRI) — The New England Patriots have next Thursday marked in their calendar as the organization has the highest draft pick since 1993.

After a lackluster season, finishing at the bottom of the AFC East at 4-13, the Patriots got the third overall draft pick in the 2024 Draft.

Thirty years ago, the Patriots had the first overall pick and drafted quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

Patriots Director of Scouting Eliot Wolf spoke to the media today in anticipation of the draft. He said their final decisions will depend on multiple factors, but not drafting a quarterback and trading the number three pick aren’t out of the question.

“We’re open to anything, moving up, moving down, we’re open for business in the first round and every round,” Wolf said. “We have some holes we need to fill in the draft and we’re drafting to develop the team the more draft picks we have, the better but if there’s an opportunity to move up and strike if the board recommends it, then we won’t be afraid to pull the trigger on that either.”

“We have positions where we need to supplement now, plug and play type players and we have other positions where we feel like we can draft and develop those people so as far as how we have them rated I’d prefer not to get into that at this point at quarterback or at any other position,” he continued.

Some key personnel changes to keep in mind for the 2024 season:

• Traded QB Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars
• Signed QB Jacoby Brissett
• Released DT Lawrence Guy Sr.
• Released WR DeVante Paker
• Re-signed WR Kendrick Bourne
• Signed WR Kawaan Baker and K.J. Osborn
• Signed OL Mike Onwenu
• Extended TE Hunter Henry
• Extended LB Josh Uche

After the third overall draft pick, the Patriots’ next selection is the second pick of the second round.

Last year the Patriots had the 17th overall pick and drafted Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.

He had a promising start to the 2023 season, clocking in 17 tackles and one sack in four games, but tore his labrum in October against the Cowboys, ending his rookie season short.

The draft will take place on April 25, 26 and 27. It can be watched on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes and NFL+.

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