Joe Milton III finally touched the field in Week 18, and it felt like the football gods just wanted to tease us. One game, two touchdowns, plus a rushing score, and a cannon for an arm that looked straight outta Madden. It wasn’t perfect, but it had “wait… what if?” energy written all over it. And just like that—boom—he’s gone. But why did Mike Vrabel and Co. trade him?

Well, Vrabel knows a thing or two about the Patriots’ culture (8 seasons in New England is no joke). Picture this: Mac Jones, who was once dubbed as TB12’s heir, is nothing but a backup QB, and Bailey Zappe, the former fourth-round pick and the ex-third-string quarterback of the Patriots, is now switching jerseys like its nothing. Turns out Vrabel didn’t want the same fate for Milton. Now what?

I mean, the Patriots still need a backup QB for second-year Drake Maye and veteran Joshua Dobbs. Well, trading Milton increased the odds of the Patriots drafting a quarterback in this year’s draft. And they could draft either of the following 5 QB prospects later this month:

Mike Vrabel could draft Kyle McCord of the Syracuse Orange

With Maye and Dobbs taking the charge in 2025, it’s pretty much certain that Vrabel and the Patriots are not going to draft a QB in the first round. Because, of course. That said, the Patriots are likely to look at options from the third to seventh rounds. That brings us to our first expected prospect the Patriots could draft—Kyle McCord.

The kid was mostly a backup during his first couple of seasons for the Ohio State Buckeyes before eventually getting a starting role. The kicker? McCord transferred to Syracuse for the 2024 season and absolutely lit it up, leading the nation with 4,779 passing yards and tossing 34 touchdowns. Standing at 6’3” and weighing over 200 pounds, the kid’s got that prototypical QB frame. His quick release and spot-on accuracy? Chef’s kiss.

Sure, McCord isn’t exactly a dual-threat, and mobility isn’t his thing, but one thing’s for sure. The guy’s got the confidence to thread a needle. That said, Kyle McCord could be a reliable backup for the Patriots, maybe more.

Will Howard of the Ohio State Buckeyes

Will Howard’s journey is straight out of a sports movie. The guy had a solid run at Kansas State, but his breakout season came after he transferred to Ohio State. And let’s just say, Howard absolutely balled out, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship. The guy stands at a towering height of 6’4” and weighs nearly 250 pounds—the size and arm strength that scouts drool over.

On the fields, Howard’s surely a dual-threat. His last season? Well, the QB recorded his career high 4,010 yards and racked up 10 TD. Oh, and he even scored 7 rushing TDs for 226 yards. His deep throws? Absolutely one to watch out for. But it’s not all sunshine—his mechanics can get a bit wonky under pressure.

“Howard had the lowest grade at 36.2 and failed to produce a single big-time throw,” John Kosko of Pro Football Focus noted. But still, with his experience and that championship bling, Will Howard’s a name the Patriots would watch out.

Riley Leonard of Notre Dame Fighting Iris

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame’s QB1, is like that dual-threat in a video game—you know, the one who can torch you through the air and on the ground. In 2024, he threw for 2,861 yards with 21 touchdowns and ran for 906 yards, adding 17 rushing TDs to his highlight reel. His numbers may scream “first-round prospect,” but let’s be real—under pressure, his mechanics can get a bit shaky, leading to some errant throws.

This is the reason why Leonard is projected as a mid to late-round pick, per some analysts. And that’s where Mike Vrabel and the New England team comes in. With Drake Maye already on the roster, a dual-threat QB like Riley Leonard could just be a cherry on the cake.

Kurtis Rourke of the Indiana Hoosiers

Kurtis Rourke, the Canadian gunslinger from Indiana, is like that reliable playlist you always go back to—steady, familiar, and gets the job done. Standing tall at 6’5″ and weighing in at 223 pounds, the guy’s been playing college football since Brady was still a Patriot. The guy wrapped up his 2024 season with a 69.4% completion rate, racking up 3,042 yards, 29 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions. The kicker?

He played the entire season with a torn ACL in his right knee. Talk about grit. Sure, Rourke’s got his smarts and accuracy but the NFL analysts describe him a reliable backup QB. The Draft Network notes that Rourke “profiles as a better backup quarterback.” On the other side, The Last Word On Sports projected that Rourke “will likely spend his NFL career as a backup.”

With that being said, Vrabel and his crew might have their sight on Rourke if they’re looking for a potential replacement of Joe Milton III.

Tyler Shough of the Louisville Cardinals

Last but definitely not least—it’s Tyler Shough of the Louisville Cardinals. And if we’re being honest, then it’s safe to say that Shough’s college career lowkey feels like a football version of “Catch Me If You Can“—he’s been everywhere: Oregon, Texas Tech, and finally Louisville. The guy’s been playing college football since Patrick Mahomes was yet to win his first Super Bowl.

Anyway, the guy’s got size (6’5″) and a rocket arm, but staying healthy? Yeah, that’s been the real plot twist. Sure, Tyler shows QB1 traits, now and then, but consistency and durability have kept him in QB3 convo. Still, teams might just roll the dice and the Patriots could be one of them.

There you go. Mike Vrabel still has a lot to do to find a potential replacement for Milton. The odds are surely favoring that New England may draft a QB, but don’t be surprised if they add an undrafted free agent to their roster. Moreover, if reports are true, Jake Willcox of the Brown University also took part in the Patriots’ local pro day last week. So it’s safe to say that Mike Vrabel is all in to add a rookie for the QB3 role.