Breaking news: Patriots to trade their No. 3 pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for the No. 8 key man

When the New England Patriots selected a quarterback from Michigan in the past, it turned out to be a game-changing decision, leading to the legendary career of Tom Brady. Now, a mock draft from CBS Sports suggests the Patriots might tap into that Michigan connection once again by targeting J.J. McCarthy. In this scenario, they would trade their No. 3 draft pick to the Atlanta Falcons for the No. 8 selection to secure McCarthy.

McCarthy has shown promise at Michigan, boasting impressive stats with a 27-1 record as a starter and a remarkable touchdown-to-interception ratio. However, there are lingering uncertainties about how his skills will transition to the NFL level. Despite leading Michigan to a national championship, he operated within a run-focused offense under coach Jim Harbaugh, which limited his opportunities to showcase his passing abilities.

The upcoming NFL Scouting Combine will provide McCarthy with a platform to demonstrate his potential to NFL scouts, particularly in displaying his arm strength and passing accuracy. Nonetheless, the Patriots must weigh the risk of selecting a quarterback with limited exposure to certain aspects of the game, considering the consequences of a first-round quarterback not panning out, as seen with Mac Jones in recent years.

Trading back in the draft while acquiring additional picks could mitigate some of this risk for the Patriots, allowing them to bolster their roster while still aiming for their future franchise quarterback in McCarthy. This strategic move aligns with a potential rebuild for the Patriots, indicating a willingness to invest in a young quarterback while simultaneously fortifying the team for the future.