The Patriots Don't Need To Tank For Trevor, Three Quarterbacks They Could Draft.

In 2020, I listed 40 quarterbacks after the draft that I thought would be good fits for the Patriots. They had enough snaps and decent stat lines, mainly in competition percentage. Some of them went back to school. As Jarrett Stidham learned that could cost one a payday but it could also open doors to a chance at better gig.

Recently Daniel Morrison talked about the possibilities the Patriots going after three men off my post 2019 college season board. She had my seventh Ranked Ian Book from Notre Dame, my eighth ranked quarterback Sam Ehlinger from Texas, and my 18th ranked quarterback Shane Buechele from SMU.

Book had a bit of a set back in 2019 but had a good 2018 season with Notre Dame. In 33 games, Book has completed 500 passes for a 63.5% competition percentage. He has thrown for 6118 yards 57 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. He has also rushed 245 times for 1032 yards and 8 touchdowns. Book is a quarterback looking for a bounce back year if the NCAA decides to give the players what they want.

Morrison compared Ehlinger to a current starter in the NFL, as far as playing ability goes. "Ehlinger brings the athleticism that is expected of modern quarterbacks, and looks a lot like a Carson Wentz-style player."

Ehlinger is another quarterback who didn't have as good of a season as he did in 2018. In 36 games, he completed 729 passes for a 63.2% competition. He threw for 8870 yards with 68 touchdowns and 22 Interceptions. He's also rushed for 445 carries with 1526 yards and 25 touchdowns. 

Buechele is more of a pocket quarterback who excelled in the Air Raid offense after transferring from Texas. The Air Raid is the system both Jimmy G and Jarrett Stidham ran in their final years. It's also part of the "Air West Spread" offense, also known as the Belichick system.

Buechele is the one quarterback who didn't really have a set back on this list and returned to improve draft status. In 36 career games he completed 710 passes for a percentage of 62.4%. He threw for 8565 yards with 64 touchdowns and 26 Interceptions. He rushed 232 times for 373 yards and 6 touchdowns. Although he can move, he'd rather wait for a receiver to get open but he has the ability to take off if need be.

These three guys are probably not first round picks at the moment but could move up if there is an NCAA season. Currently, I would put them from late second to fourth round value range. Regardless how things work out this season for the Patriots, they may decide that Lewerke isn't worth keeping as a back up and go after a guy who could compete with both Stidham and Newton. 

One last thing, former Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback and Titans 2020 seventh round pick Cole McDonald is a better quarterback than Brian Lewerke, especially for the Patriots offense. He was recently released and has worked on his Mechanics.