Tom Pelissero had tweeted on Monday, "Several teams have been making calls about getting into the top 10 of next week’s NFL Draft — including the #Patriots, who could have their eyes on Ohio State QB Justin Fields if he begins to slide."
On Monday April 26, 2021, however Breer wrote the following at the end of his MMQB article about Shad Khan, which calls into question the trade up talks. Breer said, "What you need to know: The Patriots have at least touched base with teams in the top 10, though I spoke with one Sunday that was skeptical of how serious they are about trading up."
It's due diligence to find out the asking cost. It's about positioning. The Patriots aren't the only team looking to trade up. So news on whether or not they're looking to trade up has to be taken with a grain of salt right now. Bill has created enough doubt in at least one teams mind that he's not trading up, and remember Belichick is a master at mind games.
Making things more interesting is Todd McShay has stated he doesn't see the Patriots trading up and there is just as much of a case there. Here's what Todd McShay, the ESPN Draft Expert wrote on Monday.
McShay said, "Two separate sources within the league (not inside the Patriots organization) said New England is more likely to move back than up based on pre-draft conversations. So no, it doesn't sound like the Patriots are going up the board to get a QB. And like we all already know, moving back is more in line with what coach Bill Belichick likes to do on draft day."
That coinsides with what Albert Breer said about one of the teams in the top ten being skeptical about the Patriots trading into the top 10.
Now what many have also said which is, Add to that; the Patriots go almost two rounds worth of picks after their second pick. According to ESPN, they go from pick 46 to pick 96. 50 picks is a lot of talent to miss out on. And the Patriots could use this draft to prep for next year's free agency departures.
If the Patriots do trade up, and this is just my opinion, they need an intelligent quarterback who can throw the short and intermediate passes from the pocket. I don't if that's anyone other than Mac Jones going in the top ten. It's definitely not Fields or Lance who will look more like 2020 Cam Newton in that department. Thus I think they should trade down and acquire more picks, unless Mac Jones is their guy.
There are two teams off the top of my head that seem like good candidates because they need a quarterback and I could see both trading up to make sure they acquire Trask. Yes I think a team will reach on Trask. I also think the Buccaneers are taking Mond at 32. I think, especially if the top 5 quarterback go in the top nine picks. Those teams are as followed!
The Washington Football team has pick 19 and might be willing to trade up to pick 15. They have value picks 19, 51, 74, 82, and 124. The Bears are another trade candidate that could be looking to trade up, and sit at pick 20. They have value picks 20, 52, 83, and maybe 164 if the Patriots are desperate.
The Patriots could also look to trade a little further down the draft and stay in round one for the benefit of getting the fifth year option. Honestly trading to one of the two previous teams and then trying to trade down to one of the following teams would be ideal.
Cleveland could be a potential trade partner. They have value picks 26, 59, 89, 110, and 132.The other late first round team the Patriots could trade with that makes sense is the Saints. They have value picks 28, 60, 98, 105, and 133. The question is do any teams want the Patriots to become competitive again?
Keep in mind the the Patriots had Jimmy Garoppolo as plan A and depending on how the 49ers draft and with The 49ers saying "they can't guarantee anyone will be alive on sunday let alone if Jimmy Garoppolo will still be a 49er," Jimmy could be a Patriots before the weekend is done and acquiring more picks could help the Patriots see the trade come to life.
The Patriots signed Cam late into the process showing they didn't have much faith in him, and again we know who "Plan A" was. But Greg Bedard on the Patriots Press Pass said, "At one point, somebody you know around the Patriots, I was asking about the Patriots and they said, 'we didnt F'n do this for Cam Newton!'"
Now it's just my Speculation but if the Patriots believe they can get Garoppolo, a quarterback Belichick loves, they will. The offense was built to be adaptable for whomever they want at quarterback. And with the fact that Garoppolo was plan A, and the fact that they kept the same passing offense in 2020, says in my opinion that the Franchise also really wants a guy who can throw those short to intermediate passes from the pocket, regardless of his mobility.
With that I believe that if they cannot get Mac Jones, that they will make a hatr push for Garoppolo during and after the first round. And if they do that, the quarterback room will be Garoppolo and Stidham going into 2021. And Cam's future as a Patriot, will either be determined by the trade or how well Stidham performs come the preseason.
Garoppolo is a better bridge quarterback for Stidham or any other quarterback to be developed behind and that Stidham would be allowed to compete with Jimmy in 2022 if his development improves enough. That is unless the Patriots take another quarterback this draft (Ian Book) or next (Dustin Crum)
So as far as the Patriots trading up, I put as much stock into that at the moment as I do Edelman playing for Tampa. It's possible but I don't see it happening.
No comments:
Post a Comment