Tag: Joe Milton III

Jerod Mayo says Patriots ‘absolutely’ carrying all four QBs into training camp

The Patriots plan to carry all four quarterbacks into training camp

The New England Patriots plan on carrying all four quarterbacks into training camp, according to coach Jerod Mayo on Wednesday.

That means the Patriots are setting up for a four-man competition in the summer featuring Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Bailey Zappe and Joe Milton III.

Mayo noted back in May that the team planned on keeping four quarterbacks on the roster in the spring and narrowing things down as soon as training camp started. However, it looks like the coaching staff might want to take a longer look at the quarterbacks before making a final decision.

Brissett and Maye are obvious locks to make the roster, but things could get interesting when it comes to the choice between Zappe and Milton. The Patriots already know what they have in Zappe, but Milton is an intriguing prospect who could provide value down the line.

It’s already clear that Milton has a much higher upside with his arm talent and size. Granted, there are accuracy and touch issues that he’ll have to improve to compete at the next level.

On paper, Zappe looks like the odd man out, but the fact that he’ll have another opportunity to prove himself at training camp is good news. It hasn’t always been pretty, but he does have eight starts under his belt and four NFL wins.

Experience goes a long way when considering the possibility of carrying two rookie quarterbacks on a roster.

Joe Milton III excited to be drafted by favorite NFL team

Getting drafted by the Patriots was a full-circle moment for Joe Milton III

Rookie quarterback Joe Milton III is thrilled with being drafted by the New England Patriots, partly because of his personal history with the team. Milton told reporters earlier in the week that he was a fan of the team growing up.

So it was a bit of a dream come true that he was selected in the sixth-round at No. 193 overall by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft. He comes to New England from the University of Tennessee, where he recorded 4,159 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in three seasons of play.

Milton is part of a revamped quarterback room for a Patriots team looking to find stability at the position.

“The crazy thing for me, I’ve been a Patriots fan my whole life,” said Milton.

It must be quite a full-circle moment to be drafted by your favorite NFL team. Milton could have a chance to make a big impact, as the Patriots continue their search for the next franchise face at the quarterback position.

Jerod Mayo explains what has stood out with rookie QB Joe Milton III

Rookie QB Joe Milton III has stood out to coach Jerod Mayo, despite limited reps.

The New England Patriots quarterbacks room has been under the microscope, as Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye and Bailey Zappe have all vied for reps.

Joe Milton III has been trying to inch his way into the quarterback conversation as well. However, it’s been difficult given the number of bodies at the position.

Still, coach Jerod Mayo has been impressed with one particular aspect of Milton’s game.

“I think the easy thing to say is his cannon of an arm. But just his energy,” Mayo told reporters, via NESN.com’s Jason Ounpraseuth. “He has a natural leadership skill as well. He’s been great for the run.”

Milton, a self-described lifelong Patriots fan, was selected by the organization in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He is facing an uphill battle right now, as he looks to establish himself in the room.

Jacoby Brissett is the veteran starter, and Drake Maye is the rookie first-round draft pick. The real competition could come down between Milton and Zappe.

Patriots rookie minicamp photos: Best of Drake Maye, Joe Milton III on the field

Here are the best photos of Drake Maye and Joe Milton III from rookie minicamp

Both rookie quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Joe Milton III, took the field for the first time for the New England Patriots at rookie minicamp over the weekend. With Saturday’s practice being open to the media, people got their first look at the future in action.

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick, is believed to be the eventual starter under center and next great hope to shift the narrative from the dumpster fire football team that finished with a 4-13 record last season.

The combination of Maye and a much-improved wide receivers room, coupled with a returning defensive unit that ranked amongst the best in football last year, could be just what the doctor ordered for New England.

Milton being drafted with a sixth-round pick came as a bit of surprise to some. Eliot Wolf, the executive vice president of player personnel, claimed the arm talent was too good to pass up with the former Tennessee Volunteer. One look at Milton throwing a football is all that’s needed to make sense of the move.

The arrival of Maye and Milton with Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe creates a situation where the Patriots will experience one of the greatest quarterback competitions they’ve had in years. Who will come out on top?

The process started with Maye and Milton getting up to speed at rookie minicamp over the weekend. Here are the best photos of the two quarterbacks in action:

Patriots announce signings of three rookie draft picks

The Patriots make their first three rookie draft pick signings

The New England Patriots announced the signing of three players in their 2024 rookie draft class.

Quarterback Joe Milton III, defensive back Marcellas Dial and tight end Jaheim Bell made it official by signing their new rookie contracts on Friday.

Milton is joining a crowded quarterbacks room in New England that also includes rookie Drake Maye and veterans Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe. The same will be true for Dial in the defensive backfield, especially with Christian Gonzalez and Marcus Jones healthy.

However, there are expectations that Dial can also contribute on special teams as well, which should get him in the mix sooner rather than later.

And then there’s Bell, who could be a surprise as a seventh-round pick. There’s a logjam at tight end with Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper leading the way, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Bell works his way into the mix at some point.

The Patriots released pictures of the rookies taking the field for the first time at rookie minicamp on Friday. It’s a big class in New England with eight players being taken off the board, and all of them have the potential to be difference-makers in their own unique ways.

Eliot Wolf admits QB Joe Milton III had too much talent to pass up

Eliot Wolf explains why the Patriots drafted QB Joe Milton III

New England Patriots de facto general manager Eliot Wolf admitted former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III’s rare physical traits, including his size, rocket arm and athleticism, all factored into the team drafting him at No. 193 overall.

Why not take a flier on a quarterback that was 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds with the ability to throw the ball out of the building?

That was essentially Wolf’s reasoning, when appearing on “The Adam Schefter Podcast” on Tuesday.

“I had the opportunity to watch Joe play live the last game of the year against Vanderbilt. I got there really early and watched him warm up, and just watching him throw the football is unbelievable,” said Wolf. “I mean, he’s 6-5, 245 pounds. He’s got a rocket for an arm. He’s athletic. He played in [Josh] Heupel’s offense there, which is not an NFL offense, but we feel like there’s some things that we can work with and develop. It was just one of those picks where, you know, there was too much talent in him to pass that up.”

The addition of Milton initially had the Patriots with five quarterbacks on their roster. However, on Monday, they announced the release of backup Nathan Rourke.

Naturally, Bailey Zappe’s spot on the roster has come into question, particularly if Milton performs well at training camp. It could lead to a depth chart of Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett and Milton.

One thing is certain: The competition will be as fierce as it’s ever been at the Patriots’ quarterback position.

Joe Milton III details phone call with Patriots owner Robert Kraft

Joe Milton opens up on his phone call with Patriots owner Robert Kraft

New England Patriots rookie quarterback Joe Milton III is ready to make a strong impression with the organization. He opened up about what his first phone call was like with the organization in an interview with football analyst Coach Hayes.

Milton was selected by the Patriots in the sixth round with the 193rd overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Now, he will get a chance to compete in the quarterback room with third overall pick Drake Maye. Milton seems to be open to competition, as the Patriots offense is undergoing a complete rebuild.

Milton has one particular football trait that stands out from the rest, however. And it even caught owner Robert Kraft’s attention.

“He was just talking about [how] he’s just ready to see my arm talent in person. He heard that I had the strongest arm in the draft. I said, ‘Nah, I got the strongest arm in the country,’” said Milton. “…He’s just ready to see that in person and see me compete. Because they drafted Drake Maye third pick overall, so he’s ready to see me compete with him.”

It sounds like both quarterbacks in the room are ready to prove themselves, as New England looks to find stability at the quarterback position for the first time in the post-Tom Brady era.

At the very least, Milton appears to be hungry and motivated to prove he’s more than just a sixth-round pick.

Patriots QB Jacoby Brissett embraces idea of competition

Jacoby Brissett thinks competition will bring out the best in the entire Patriots quarterback room

New England Patriots veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett is not shying away from competition, following a 2024 NFL draft where the team took two rookie quarterbacks.

Brissett was signed to a one-year deal in March and thought of as the bridge quarterback, as the Patriots were expected to draft a rookie signal-caller. However, instead of one quarterback, they ended up selecting two by using their first-round pick on Drake Maye and a sixth-rounder on Joe Milton III.

The development process now begins with the rookies settling into life in the NFL. Brissett is settling in as well, as he begins his second stint in New England. With that being said, he is not afraid of competition, as he told reporters on Wednesday.

“That’s all out of my control, so I don’t really worry about that. I’m excited to have [Maye] on the team and the other guys as well that we drafted and picked up,” said Brissett. “I think it’s going to be good. Competition brings out the best in all of us, so I’m excited about that part.”

Brissett’s veteran leadership and experience will help a Patriots quarterback room that is starting over. He will be a valuable piece regardless, even if the team construction has eyes towards the future.

Patriots select QB Joe Milton with No. 193 pick in 2024 NFL draft

The Patriots’ QB room just got bigger

The New England Patriots double dipped at the quarterback position in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL draft by selecting former University of Tennessee signal-caller Joe Milton III.

Milton’s freakish arm talent alone was worthy of a flier for the Patriots, who also took Drake Maye at No. 3 overall in the first round.

New England now has five quarterbacks in total on the roster, including Maye, Milton, Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe and Nathan Rourke. Seeing all of those guys in action should make for a fun training camp.

Milton has a ton of upside, but he’s going to need a lot of work behind the scenes with his accuracy and ability to read coverages.

At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, the former Volunteer has some rare physical traits that could create a special player with the right fundamentals in place.

Joe Milton III selected by New England in 2024 NFL draft

Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III selected by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL draft.

The 2024 NFL draft is taking place Thursday-Saturday around Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan.

Former Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III was selected by New England in the sixth round (No. 193 overall) on Saturday.

Milton III appeared in 29 games for the Vols from 2021-23. He completed 314-of-498 passing attempts for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and five interceptions, while rushing for 505 yards and nine touchdowns.

Milton III completed 229-of-354 passing attempts for 2,813 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions during the 2023 regular-season. He also rushed for 299 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 attempts. Milton III did not play in the Vols’ Citrus Bowl win against Iowa.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound signal-caller transferred to Tennessee from Michigan ahead of the 2021 season.

READ: 2024 NFL draft pick-by-pick analysis

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire