The New England Patriots sent a stud away to San Francisco in the form of Jimmy Garoppolo, and now they’ll have to address the QB position fairly quickly.
The New England Patriots have a 40-year old quarterback who is having an MVP season, but everyone knows that won’t last for too much longer. Jimmy Garoppolo was thought of as the future, but now he’s wearing a 49ers jersey instead.
Tom Brady is the GOAT, and there’s going to be a dropoff when he retires for sure. The Patriots would likely love to have a QB behind Brady to learn for a few season or two as well, so the time for drafting a new backup quarterback is fast approaching.
New England will likely look to draft the future QB in the 2018 or 2019 NFL Draft, but they’ll likely have different approaches based on which year they decide to go with. If the Patriots select a QB in the upcoming draft, it should be in a middle or later round, because they don’t necessarily have an immediate need. If they wait a year and the Qb of the future is in the 2019 draft class, a higher pick could be utilized. There’s a ton of talent available, and most of the players mentioned in this article have the potential to mold into a solid starter in the NFL. The Patriots will do their homework and determine who’s the right fit, but none of these players would surprise me at all if they have their name called on draft night by New England.
2018 NFL Draft Prospects
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Projected Selection: Round 1-2
Baker Mayfield has propelled himself into the spotlight with a Heisman Trophy and an appearance in the College Football Playoff, but he’s still not the top-rated quarterback in the 2018 draft class. He may sneak into the first round, but if he slips to the second New England should find a way to pick him up.
At 6’2″ 215 lbs, Mayfield isn’t the biggest QB, but that shouldn’t matter. He has a really amazing drive and a crazy work ethic, as he walked on at both Texas Tech and Oklahoma to become the starter. Baker will need to work on his footwork and his ability to read defenses, but those are both things that can be taught.
In 2017, so far, Baker Mayfield has completed 71% of his passes for 4,340 yards, 41 touchdowns, and just 5 interceptions in 13 games. He also has 5 rushing touchdowns and 310 rushing yards this season, so he’s fairly mobile. Mayfield needs a little bit of work, but he could certainly thrive under Tom Brady, Josh McDaniels (if he’s here), and Bill Belichick.
Drew Lock, Missouri
Projected Selection: Round 1-3
Drew Lock is a player that could see his stock rise as the NFL Draft approaches, but for now, he seems like a second-day player.
Lock set the single-season SEC record with 43 touchdown passes in 2017. He has a huge arm and can make any throw, and that’s something that the scouts will love. Lock needs to improve his vision and decision making though, but those are both manageable. With his arm strength, Lock tends to overthrow receivers and will sometimes force throws as well.
At 6’4″ 224 lbs, Drew Lock looks the part as an NFL quarterback, but he will definitely need some fine-tuning before he’s set to take over and lead a team.
Clayton Thorson, Northwestern
Projected Selection: Round 1-3
Clayton Thorson does not have great numbers, but he’s been playing with a pretty terrible offense at Northwestern. The offensive line and lack of playmakers have made Thorson look much worse than he actually is. The 6’4″ QB may choose to return to Northwestern though for his senior season in hopes to improve his chances of becoming a first-round pick.
In 2017, Thorson completed 61% of his passes and threw for 15 touchdowns. His sophomore season was better though, as he threw for 22 touchdowns and just 9 interceptions in 13 games. If he decides to enter the 2018 NFL Draft, Clayton Thorson could be a steal for the New England Patriots in the middle rounds.
Luke Falk, Washington State
Projected Selection: Round 3-4
Washington State senior Luke Falk received a ton of attention in 2017, but he didn’t always live up to the hype. Now, he’s viewed as a middle-of-the-pack prospect with a great upside. In 12 games he threw for 3,593 yards with 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Falk will have to become more secure with the ball, as no one wants to see more interceptions than games played, but he has potential.
Falk has an NFL-ready arm, and he can be extremely accurate, but it’s the decision making that needs a lot of improvement. He’ll also need to add some size, as he stands at 6’4″ but only weighs 205 lbs. If the Patriots are on the board in the third or fourth round and Falk is still available, they may swoop in and develop this young, talented QB.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Projected Selection: Round 3-4
Projected to go in the same range as Luke Falk, OSU’s Mason Rudolph is a much different player. He’s bigger at 6’5″ 235 lbs, but unlike Falk, he struggles to fit the ball into tight windows.
Rudolph is the type of player that will need a few seasons in the NFL to develop since his receivers in the league won’t be as open as they have been at Oklahoma State. Rudolph is definitely a QB with a lot of work needed to improve, but if New England believes that they can count on Bradt for three more seasons he may be worth the risk.
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Projected Selection: Round 3-5
Jarrett Stidham transferred from Baylor to Auburn and he played extremely well in his first season in the SEC. As a sophomore Stidham threw for 2,827 yards with 17 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in 13 games.
In 2017 Stidham greatly improved his accuracy and comfort in the pocket. The 6’3″ 210 lbs QB is a proto-typical NFL starter and he has the arm strength to go along with it. He will have to decide whether or not he plans to stay at Auburn though for another season in hopes of improving his draft stock. So, Stidham could be an option for the Patriots that’s actually available in 2019.
Riley Ferguson, Memphis
Projected Selection: Round 3-5
Riley Ferguson has the arm to make it in the NFL, but he needs to add some more size and muscle to be able to take the tough hits. As a senior in 2017, he threw for 3,971 yards with 36 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Ferguson can be very accurate, but he’s still a question mark in the true talent department. A strong combine could help to clarify some things though.
2019 NFL Draft Prospects
Jacob Eason, Georgia
Projected Selection: Round 1-3
Jacob Eason has the potential to be the top quarterback in the 2019 NFL Draft. As a freshman in 2016, he threw for 2,430 yards and 16 touchdowns, but an injury in 2017 forced him to the sidelines. True freshman Jake Fromm took over as the starter and he has gotten the Bulldogs to the College Football Playoff. Therefore, Eason will either have to earn his job back or make a transfer decision.
That could force Eason to become a 2020 NFL Draft prospect, but that remains to be seen. He has a strong arm and the size to make it as an NFL QB, but he will need the chance to play to prove himself to NFL scouts.
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Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
Projected Selection: Round 2-3
In 2017, Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald threw 15 touchdown passes but also had 11 interceptions. He should be returning for his senior season and if he can improve his accuracy and decision making, Fitzgerald has the potential to develop into a solid NFL prospect.
Jake Bentley, South Carolina
Projected Selection: Round 3-5
South Carolina’s Jake Bentley was just a sophomore in 2017 and he was solid with 16 touchdowns thrown. Like many young QBs, he will have to improve his accuracy and decision making before making the jump to the NFL.
Brett Rypien, Boise State
Projected Selection: Round 6-FA
Junior Brett Rypien should be back for his senior season with the Boise State Broncos. He threw for 16 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions in 2017, and he looks like he has a ton of potential going forward. He may be a late-round steal in the long run.
Next: A quick look at Patriots playoff opponents
The Patriots have options, and some under-the-radar targets could present themselves before these NFL Drafts, but the prospects on this list present some great targets for New England. They won’t find the next Tom Brady, but a solid starting QB is certainly attainable in 2018 or 2019. What do you think of these options for New England? Is there anyone else that I should take a look at ahead of the draft? Let me know all of your thoughts on Twitter @CandCFansided.