New England Patriots 2020 NFL Draft: A reset of draft needs post-Tom Brady
New England Patriots’ first round pick, a quarterback
As noted above, assuming Tom Brady had stayed, I had previously, strongly advocated an offensive lineman, preferably an offensive left tackle, as the preferred top priority for New England Patriots in the first round of the 2020 draft. Protect Brady at all cost. That’s out-the-door with Brady’s defection. The question is, who will they be protecting?
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The Patriots have Jarrett Stidham an untested quarterback who had one year of apprenticeship behind Tom Brady and veteran Cody Kessler. Stidham threw 4 passes in anger according to Pro Football Reference last season. 4! That’s not where they need to be. I’m not a huge adherent of the prospect of acquiring a veteran quarterback although Jameis Winston is one talented QB. But absent signing Winston or possibly Cam Newton, the Patriots need to draft a quarterback high in the draft, like their first round pick high in April.
I’ve raised the flag as has colleague William Hyland in an excellent article for Jalen Hurst the multi-purpose and talented quarterback from Oklahoma. Hurts should be available in the first round when the Patriots select. Some may think it a bit of a “reach”, if so, then reach.
Hurts will immediately infuse an aspect to the Patriots game that they haven’t seen in, well, maybe ever., except for short time with Doug Flutie maybe. That’s mobility. Add to that excitement, and New England fans will need that after the depressing sight of Tom Brady in a Tampa Bay uniform.
But whoever it is, they need a quarterback to build around and on that first round pick.