QB Milton goes to Pats, says TE move not in cards

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.– The New England Patriots picked University of Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the 6th round of the NFL draft Saturday, double-dipping at the position after selecting North Carolina’s Drake Maye 3rd general.

Milton acknowledged he was rather shocked to speak with the Patriots at choice No. 193 however stated it was however unique to get word from the group offered the difficulty he stated he has actually dealt with over his profession.

“I had all the [NFL] hats set out. You simply never ever understand where you’re going to wind up. I was simply waiting on any telephone call,” he informed press reporters on a videoconference. “It’s a true blessing, for sure.”

The 6-foot-5, 246-pound Milton stated all of his discussions with the Patriots have actually had to do with playing quarterback. Some draft experts questioned if groups may consider him as a tight end, however Milton stated candidly: “That will never ever take place.”

The Patriots now have 5 quarterbacks on their lineup, led by veteran Jacoby Brissettwho had actually signed a 1 year agreement worth $8 million in March. Maye is the enthusiastic quarterback of the future, with Milton, 2022 fourth-round choice Bailey Zappe and second-year gamer Nathan Rourke On the depth chart.

“Just the chance. I seem like all over you go, no matter what quarterback got chosen in this draft, you’re going to need to contend,” stated Milton, who passed on that he had actually established a connection with Maye well before the draft, as they initially fulfilled at a Peyton Manning-run camp before the season. “Nothing is simply offered to you no matter who you are. That’s what I’m anticipating do.”

The choice utilized to pick Milton had actually been gotten from the Jacksonville Jaguars in March in exchange for previous starter and first-round choice Mac Jones

This marks simply the 2nd time in group history that the Patriots picked 2 quarterbacks in a draft. The other time can be found in 1983 with Tony Eason and Tom Ramsey.

In addition, New England ended up being simply the 4th group given that 2000 to prepare a quarterback after likewise taking one in the preliminary. The others are Pittsburgh with Kenny Pickett and Chris Oladokun in 2022, Washington with Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins in 2012, and Indianapolis with Andrew Luck and Chandler Harnish in 2012.

“We’re in business of attempting to get great football gamers through the door, and Milton takes place to be among them,” Patriots first-year coach Jerod Mayo stated. “Obviously, he comprehends we took a quarterback at 3, with Drake. Something we preach is competitors. Absolutely nothing is provided. All of it is made. That’s how we considered the procedure.”

Asked if the Patriots would think about utilizing Milton in areas besides quarterback, Mayo stated: “We’ll need to see how that sort of plays out when we put the pads on, however we prepared him as a quarterback.”

Milton, 24, invested 3 seasons at Michigan, mainly sitting behind starter Shea Patterson before beginning 5 video games in 2020 and after that being changed by Cade McNamara. He moved to Tennessee in 2021, beginning the very first 2 video games in his preliminary season before hurting his ankle. Hendon Hooker took the quarterback reins for the remainder of the year and into 2022.

Milton didn’t reemerge up until the last 2 video games of 2022, when Hooker suffered a knee injury. The strong-armed Milton was called MVP of the Orange Bowl after going 19-of-28 for 251 backyards and 3 goals in a win over Clemson. He then returned as the starter in 2023, making the most of an additional year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 12 starts last season, he was 229-of-354 for 2,813 lawns, with 20 goals and 5 interceptions. He included 78 hurries for 299 backyards and 7 goals.

His 20 goal passes took a trip approximately 21.2 lawns downfield, the 2nd greatest in FBS amongst quarterbacks with 20 goal passes, routing just Alabama’s Jalen Milroe (25.4 ).

From 2021 to ’23, Milton had 17 pass efforts of a minimum of 50 air backyards. No other FBS gamer had more than 9 over that period.

Summarizing his journey on Saturday, Milton stated: “It’s a terrific minute. I’m practically speechless at this moment.”

Milton ended up being the very first Tennessee gamer chosen by the Patriots considering that Mayo, their previous linebacker and now coach, in 2008 (No. 10 total).

“It’s terrific to constantly have 2 ‘VFLs’ in the structure, particularly when you’re elsewhere besides Knoxville,” Milton stated, referencing the slogan “Volunteer for Life.”

“Just for us to reconnect, learn more about each other, it’s going to be terrific.”