Patriots making calls about trading into top 10, eyeing OSU QB Justin Fields

[Auggie]

This week, NFL GMs will burn up the phone lines to gauge opportunities to move up or down their draft boards in advance of Thursday night's opening round of the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland.

Clubs have already been calling teams in the top 10 to check in on availability if one of their targets slips into an attainable range. The current sweet spot is No. 7 overall with the Detroit Lions, who likely would be open to trading back and acquiring more assets in their rebuild.

The Carolina Panthers at No. 8 and Denver Broncos at No. 9 are both candidates to draft either a quarterback or an offensive lineman. If a club is looking at acquiring one of those positions, they might have to leap into the top seven.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday on Good Morning Football that the New England Patriots are one of those teams testing the waters about a possible move into the top 10, via sources informed of the discussions.

https://www.nfl.com/news/patriots-making-calls-about-trading-into-top-10-eyeing-osu-qb-justin-fields

[exboyfil]

1. Atlanta is saying give us a Dolphins like

deal and we will do it (don't know that as a fact of course).

[Auggie]

2. Why not invest in the O-line and sign a journeyman QB?

But I'm okay if the Pats blow it. I've had enough of Kraft and Belichick.

[exboyfil]

3. Five interconnected reasons

1. The Patriots may not have such a high draft pick again for a long while so more capital
2. Journeymen are journeymen for a reason. Foles is the last QB in recent memory to pull it off (unless you count the journeyman they let get out the door).
3. A rookie starting QB is the single largest advantage any team can have in the league (followed closely by a QB willing to take less than market value and can get other players to do the same - see Number 2).
4. QBs 2-5 seem to be pretty close in talent level (all potential starters). It is an unusual year for that occurrence.
5. I think either Mac Jones or Justin Fields has great potential to be successful in NE. They would take either.

[Auggie]

4. We saw how vulnerable Mahomes is with a weak line ...

and why K.C. is re-building it through free agency.

You can get decent results with an average QB like Jimmy Garappolo if you have a running game. Granted, the 49ers will replace him if Trey Lance or Jones pan out, but he did take them to the Super Bowl in the 2019 season.

Enforce the O-Line, build a running game, and go with a temp at QB until you can draft the right one. If they can get Lance or Jones, then fine. Fields would be a mistake.

[underpants]

5. Yes a rookie QB frees up all kinds of cap room. I'd stay away from Mac Jones

He is a product of a great team.

I just read on ESPN that anything after the 12th pick is going to be the wild Wild West. From sit outs, to less games, to lack of one on one access, to limited travel, etc. scouting is all over the place. Vastly different assessments of players.