Patriot. (Photo by Kathryn Riley / Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are not in an excellent position to land one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL draft in 2021, but recent reports surrounding their off-season preparations could be a brilliant draft day for a team that they avoided.
Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance, who picked 15th in the first round, all appear to be out of reach for New England, along with the alleged first overall pick, Trevor Lawrence. And with the growing national chase over Mac Jones as a potential top-10 pick, the Patriots could opt in the opening round to land the Alabama signalman.
Despite their awkward position in the draft, the Patriots spent a lot of time on the top five backs in the class. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots have indeed “watched” each of those quintets.
With Lawrence, it’s probably nothing more than head coach Bill Belichick – whose careful preparation played a key role in his incredible success – to do his proper dedication to the quarterback, which is likely to offend AFC rival Jacksonville Jaguars. for next time will help. decade.
However, the Patriots’ interest in the quintet under Lawrence is significantly more interesting given their need to find a solution below the center, with the return of the concerned Cam Newton after an uneven season for New England last year.
Is there an issue that Patriots have at heart?
If New England is lined up to find its next quarterback, the likelihood is likely that the Patriots will have to trade. That may well be the case, even if Jones is the target.
The dissertation in the first round was rarely part of Belichick’s draft strategy. He did so in consecutive years in 2002 and 2003 and again in 2012, and the last time they caught up with linebacker D’Onta Hightower. It will perhaps take the biggest turn in Belichick’s career to find a place to land one of Wilson, Fields of Lance.
With the Patriots owning nearly $ 69 million in salary ceilings – per Spotrac – they have the means to build a supportive cast around a rookie quarter, giving them the flexibility to potentially contribute significant amounts of draft capital to a substantial to make upward step. the board.
With the Buffalo Bills reaching the AFC Championship game and the Miami Dolphins on the rise, the Patriots are in danger of lagging behind in the AFC East. Their intense study of this year’s quarter class may indicate that they are ready to strike a deal to help them close the gap.