This is not me “promoting tanking, though I’m ok with it I know many are not but just stating facts. The reason why the Patriots are at #3 right now but if lose out will be #2 is because the Arizona Cardinals have not had their bye week yet as theirs will come after next week. We have the SOS advantage. Just FYI.
The Cardinals are bad but they just paid Murray and Murray isn’t the worst QB out of the Bears, Patriots and Cardinals, i think that the Cardinals would love to draft MHJ who is likely to still be there at 3 if the Bears and Pats draft before them.
The Panthers (whose 1st round pick the Bears own) have no incentive to tank unless they want to see the Bears draft a QB who may end up being better than Young for the next ten years, they just fired their coach so maybe that lights a fire under them and they can win a game or two.
The Panthers have 1 win and the Cardinals and the Patriots have two. I don’t know what happens if the Panthers win one game and the Patriots lose out but all of these teams can afford to win at least one game and still be picking in the top three.
I don’t see a situation where the Patriots are picking in the top 3 and don’t pick a QB if Maye or Williams is available or they don’t pick MHJ if he falls them them at either 2 or 3. I think there is an outside possibility that Williams falls down people’s big board or that the Patriots are spooked by William’s attitude or mental weakness and if that is the case he definitely won’t play very well here if hes coming to the same situation Mac is in.
Personally, i hope the Patriots are able to draft Drake Maye and if not, take MHJ. I am extremely skeptical of Williams and if he has any serious red flags during evaluation, i would certainly trade back, get more picks and then take Left tackle.