DETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 21: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs off the field against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 21, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

A totally unexpected AFC team could reportedly enter the Baker Mayfield free agency sweepstakes, should the former first overall pick hit the open market in eight days.

Speaking during the NFL Combine (h/t Nick Kosko of On3.com), NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah explained that the New England Patriots could be a sleeper in the Mayfield free agency sweepstakes.

Jeremiah stated that if the Patriots land the 28-year-old, they’ll make the No. 3 pick in next month’s 2024 NFL Draft available:
“I mean we’ve all assumed that Baker just goes right back to Tampa. Don’t sleep on the New England Patriots. If the New England Patriots are in the Baker business, then the No. 3 pick is up for sale. And now the dominoes start going and we can really have some fun.

Well, I mean, those teams were just talking about you know, 11, 12, 13,now all of a sudden, hey, let’s call New England and see if we can’t get up there and maybe get one of the guys that’s really at the top of the list.

I mean, that’s why it makes sense if you’re New England. Because they could just sit at three and take the quarterback but when you think about the cupboard being bare and needing guys. Now all of a sudden I get a veteran, now I can auction off No. 3 and all these holes I’ve got to fill, now I’ve got a boatload of picks to go fill them with.”

Perhaps no team has more flaws than the Patriots, who are expected to replace Mac Jones at quarterback this offseason. Many expect them to take whichever of the big three QB prospects (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels) remains at No. 3.

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But with generational wide receiver prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. also likely to be available to the Pats, there’s a case to be made that they should sign a new QB and draft the second-generation wideout. Or, like Jeremiah suggested, to sign Mayfield and then auction off the No. 3 pick.

Regardless, Mayfield is set to be paid handsomely this offseason, whether the money comes from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots or somebody else.

Mayfield is only 28 and coming off a career year in which he completed 64.3 percent of pass attempts for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Having led the Bucs to a surprise NFC South division title, Mayfield has set himself up nicely for the first lucrative post-rookie deal of his career.