After trading away Jimmy Garoppolo in October 2017, the Patriots now face the same question that they did last April: Is it time to select…
After trading away Jimmy Garoppolo in October 2017, the Patriots now face the same question that they did last April: Is it time to select a quarterback in the NFL Draft?
The organization technically has a backup quarterback on its roster — two, in fact — but neither Brian Hoyer nor 2018 seventh-round pick Danny Etling is the heir to the club’s future. With a league-high 12 selections in the 2019 draft, it’s possible coach Bill Belichick and company use one of the dozen to lock down six-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady’s replacement.
The Patriots hold a first-rounder (No. 32), two second-rounders (Nos. 56 and 64), and three third-rounders (No. 73,97, and 101). The abundance of picks also gives Belichick ample ammo to move up the draft board via trade.
Here’s a look at five players who could be in a Patriots uniform next season:
New England checked out Jones at Duke’s Pro Day in March, and the 21-year-old was also one of the 30 prospects the team hosted for a pre-draft visit in April.
“Obviously that organization — the Patriots are at the top, year in and year out — being a part of that culture, being able to watch Tom Brady day in and day out would be another opportunity for growth,’’ he said recently, via the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride.
Jones put up solid numbers as a three-year starter at Duke, where he threw for 8,201 yards, 52 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions. He averaged 6.4 yards per attempt, and his completion percentage hovered around 60 percent each season. Jones also showed he can put it on the ground, rushing for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns.
During his college career, Jones learned from Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, who also coached both Manning brothers (Peyton at Tennessee and Eli at Ole Miss) in college. Under Cutcliffe’s guidance, Jones seems confident in his preparations for the NFL.
Some of Jones’s strengths include accuracy on routes in the 10-to-20 yard range — his deep ball, on the other hand, can sometimes be a bit wobbly — as well as his mobility and pocket presence. At 6-foot-5 and 220 pounds, his size is awfully similar to that of Brady. The two seemingly share a few other characteristics, including high intelligence and strong work ethic, but Jones appears to be more naturally athletic than Brady.
If the Patriots are interested in drafting Jones, they’ll likely have to trade up, given the interest he’s garnered from other teams.
Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio got a look at Grier at West Virginia’s Pro Day, where the 24-year-old, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “put on a show.
