Patriots. (Photo by Kathryn Riley / Getty Images)
The New England Patriots are not in a great position to get one of the best defenders in the NFL’s 2021 Draft, but recent reports of their off-season preparations may suggest a change on the blockbuster draft day for a team that normally avoided them.
Choosing 15th place in the first round, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields and Trey Lance all seem to be out of New England’s reach, along with the presumptive general first choice Trevor Lawrence. And, with the national buzz about Mac Jones rising as a possible choice among the top 10, the Patriots may find themselves choosing too late in the opening round to get the Alabama caller.
Despite their uncomfortable position in the draft, the Patriots spent a lot of time evaluating the top five defenders in the class. In fact, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Patriots have been “looking aggressively” at each of this quintet.
With Lawrence, it is likely to be nothing more than head coach Bill Belichick – whose meticulous preparation was instrumental in his incredible success – doing his due diligence on the quarterback who is likely to be commanding the attack of AFC rival Jacksonville Jaguars for the next decade.
However, the Patriots’ interest in the quintet below Lawrence is significantly more intriguing, given the need to find a solution under the center, with Cam Newton’s return in question after an uneven season for New England last year.
An exchange in the minds of the Patriots?
If New England is in the draft to find its next quarterback, then the Patriots are likely to need to negotiate. This may well be the case, even if Jones is the target.
Trading in the first round was rarely part of the outline of Belichick’s strategy. He did this in successive years in 2002 and 2003 and again in 2012, the latter of which led to linebacker D’Onta Hightower. Perhaps the biggest spin of Belichick’s career is needed for them to reach a point to hit Wilson, Fields or Lance.
However, with the Patriots having almost $ 69 million in salary cap space – per Spotrac – they have the resources to build a support cast around a newbie quarterback, giving them the flexibility to potentially share with significant amounts of capital serve to make a substantial movement in the frame.
With the Buffalo Bills coming into the AFC Championship game and the Miami Dolphins on the rise, the Patriots are in danger of falling behind at AFC East. Their intense study of this year’s quarterback class may suggest that they are ready to strike a deal to help them close the gap.