ESPN makes 53-man roster prediction for former Tennessee Vols QB Joe Milton

With NFL training camps across the league getting underway this week, ESPN made 53-man roster predictions for each franchise.

One of the more interesting training camp battles involves former Tennessee Vols quarterback Joe Milton, who is hoping to make the New England Patriots' 53-man roster.

Milton, a sixth round selection by the Patriots in the 2024 NFL Draft, is battling third-year quarterback Bailey Zappe for the No. 3 quarterback job in New England.

(Veteran Jacoby Brissett and rookie Drake Maye, the Patriots' first round pick earlier this spring, are considered "locks" for New England's 53-man roster.)

For now, ESPN has Milton making the Patriots' 53-man roster over Zappe.

From ESPN : QUARTERBACKS (3): Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, Joe Milton III -- Brissett has been tabbed as the starter by coaches, and Maye was working directly behind him by the end of spring practices. Bailey Zappe, a 2022 fourth-round pick for New England, could potentially be a trade candidate. Another possibility would be the Patriots attempting to bring Zappe back on the practice squad if he clears waivers to give them another layer of insurance while protecting their investment in Milton, their 2024 sixth-round pick.

Milton isn't necessarily a lock to make the Patriots' 53-man roster -- he'll have to show that he's growing as a player during training camp -- but it seems likely that he'll be the choice for the No. 3 quarterback job over Zappe.

The Patriots feel comfortable with Brissett and Maye as their top two options at quarterback, which gives them the luxury of a carrying a third quarterback for developmental purposes. And that appears to be the plan for Milton.

Everyone knows about Milton's elite physical abilities. And the Patriots appear willing to give Milton a shot to develop into a NFL-caliber quarterback under their watch because of those abilities. It seems unlikely (unless his camp is a total disaster) that they'll move on from Milton after just a month of training camp. The Patriots seem committed to giving Milton some time to see just exactly what they have in the former Vol.

Related: Tennessee fans noticed the Vols are getting disrespected in a very real life way in new EA Sports College Football game