The New England Patriots found their franchise quarterback with the No. 3 pick of the 2024 NFL Draft in Drake Maye. That doesn’t mean the other second-year quarterback Joe Milton won’t be useful to the team moving forward.
The Patriots’ investment in Milton could pay off by being potentially traded to a quarterback-needy team for a value pick. The value that the Patriots believe Milton is worth trading for is a third-round pick, according to ESPN Cleveland analyst Tony Grossi.
Just In: The Patriots are expected to be asking for a 3rd-round pick to trade QB Joe Milton, per @TonyGrossi
“Sources closer to the situation than me expect the asking price of the Patriots to be a third-round pick.”
The Browns are not interested in trading for Milton. pic.twitter.com/OGIeaZxW3F
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 17, 2025
Grossi also reported that the Cleveland Browns aren’t interested in trading for Milton. This leaves only Kenny Pickett and Deshaun Watson as the only quarterbacks on the roster. Watson is expected to miss the entire 2025 season after having surgery after re-rupturing his right Achilles tendon.
It isn’t too late for the Browns to decide if they want Milton especially if they don’t have a reliable starter or backup after the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Patriots believe Milton could give them a third-round pick through a trade. This would be the same value the Seattle Seahawks got by trading two-time Pro-Bowl quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders.
New England drafted Milton in the sixth round (pick No. 193) in the 2024 Draft; the same draft class as Maye. Milton played one game last season in replacement for the injured Maye. Milton completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns in the Patriots’ 23-16 win over the Buffalo Bills in the regular season finale.
It isn’t known if there is a big market for Milton or if the Patriots will lower their trade demand to send him out. There will be teams that will see their starting quarterback or their reliable backup go down with a potential season-ending injury. This will likely be when teams will be requesting Milton.