Patriots host potential backup quarterback on pre-draft visit

LAWRENCE, KANSAS - OCTOBER 25: Jalon Daniels #6 of the Kansas Jayhawks throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on October 25, 2025 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Even though the New England Patriots have one of the NFL’s best young quarterbacks as their starter, the depth chart behind Drake Maye has the potential for further investment. That investment might come in this year’s draft, with the team having been in contact with several passers so far.

One of those is Kansas QB Jalon Daniels, who took a 30 visit with the Patriots earlier this week. He is the 19th reported player to travel to Gillette Stadium so far during the pre-draft process, and the first at his position.

Daniels, 23, spent his entire six-year college career at Kansas and appeared in 49 games with 45 starts. A dual threat at the position, he finished with 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns as a passer and also added 1,451 yards and 23 scores on the ground. He also was voted a team captain in each of his last two seasons as a Jayhawk, and to the second All-Big 12 team in 2022.

While the 6-foot-1, 219-pounder does possess plenty of NFL-caliber attributes — arm talent, mobility, in-scheme decision making — he also comes with some red flags. In his two seasons as a full-time starter in 2024 and 2025, for example, he completed only 59.6% of his passes and threw 19 interceptions; he also fumbled the ball 18 times over that span.

Whether those are disqualifiers in the Patriots’ eyes will be seen, but they are at least taking an up-close look at the likely late-round pick or undrafted free agent.

If they decide to add him to the mix after all, he would join a depth chart currently consisting of the aforementioned Drake Maye as well as recently extended Tommy DeVito. Those two would still project as the top two options even with Daniels, a potential QB3, rounding out the group.