The New England Patriots’ biggest question mark for the past two offseasons has been quarterback. After Tom Brady’s infamous departure, the Patriots signed a washed-up Cam Newton who they have re-signed since and Jarrett Stidham lingering around on his rookie deal. If the team wants to draft a quarterback of their liking, this is the year to do it. In fact, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. believes the team could be a candidate to move up on the draft night if one of the top quarterbacks slips. Having the No. 15 pick is not something Bill Belichick is used to, so best believe if a signal-caller the team likes begins to fall, Belichick will capitalize on that opportunity.
“The Patriots don’t usually have a pick as high as No. 15,” Kiper wrote. “Can Bill Belichick & Co. really afford to wait for a franchise quarterback? The 2022 class is not nearly as good as this one.”
Kiper Jr. listed the Patriots as the most likely team to trade up for a quarterback if one of the top signal-callers in the draft—namely North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or Ohio State’s Justin Fields—becomes available.
On top of that Belichick certainly seems intrigued by the 2021 quarterback draft class.
“It’s an interesting class, it’s an interesting group of guys. Some (are) very strong in some skills; some seem very strong in other skills. You know it’s definitely an interesting group.”
Interestingly enough, the last quarterback draft by New England was in 2019, when they took Stidham in the fourth round who has since played backup to Brady and most recently Newton. Drafting another QB would certainly not hurt this team down the stretch as Newton is once again playing on a cheap one-year deal with Stidham showing little to no signs of proving to be a starting QB.
