New England Patriots: 5 juicy rumors ahead of 2020 NFL Draft

Jalen Hurts a real possibility

Along with Jordan Love, Oklahoma product Jalen Hurts is a quarterback who the New England Patriots have a real possibility at selecting.

The question is, would they take him at No. 23 or even trade back if they feel he will be around late in the first or in the second round.

Initially touted as a Day 2 or Day 3 draft selection, Jalen Hurts has seen his draft stock rise since his strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine.  That interest is certainly apparent with the new England Patriots and this site has certainly been a big fan of Hurts being the successor to Tom Brady.

None of us expect that would or could be as soon as 2020.

Of course, the Patriots were also linked to Lamar Jackson back in 2018 and passed on him a few times.  If he is within their clutches and they truly likes him as ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper believes below, they won’t repeat a past mistake.

"“There’s word out that they like Jalen Hurts from Oklahoma,” Kiper said during an appearance on Ordway, Merloni and Fauria, via WEEI.  “He could be used in packages, and they could do with him what they did with Lamar Jackson his rookie year in Baltimore… “There’s talk they could look at Jalen Hurts.  I’m not buying 23, but if they move out of the first round, could they look at Jalen Hurts in the second round?”"

That is a second-round pick they could obtain if they trade Joe Thuney to a suitor hungry for an elite offensive guard.

Again, the rumblings around Jalen Hurt means the New England Patriots may not be sold or feel second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham is ready.  It could also be a pick used to push Stidham.

That, my friends, would be so Bill Belichick.