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New England Patriots 2020 Draft: Grading another disappointing draft

By Michael DeVito

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Safety Kyle Dugger #23 from Lenoir Rhyne of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 25: Safety Kyle Dugger #23 from Lenoir Rhyne of the South Team during the 2020 Resse's Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on January 25, 2020 in Mobile, Alabama. The North Team defeated the South Team 34 to 17. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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New England Patriots Anfernee Jennings (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
New England Patriots Anfernee Jennings (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Why the New England Patriots draft was another disappointing one for Bill Belichick.

I tried to remain optimistic as I do every year. I reflected upon Thursday’s trade down and felt it actually was a good move for once. I hoped against hope that the New England Patriots would for once conduct a draft that would make its fans feel good about it. But alas it wasn’t meant to be.

They did it again, what they usually do and blew the draft in several ways. And once again it was a trade-happy draft.

Trade, Trade. Trade. For what?

First, and the most serious demerit in this draft, they didn’t draft a quarterback. This was a defining moment for the team. They needed a quarterback to try to replace some of what he greatest ever had provided for nearly 20 years. They failed to even address the position thus far.

Forget not drafting a Jalen Hurts, a read-pass-option quarterback (as I had foolishly hoped), they failed to even attempt to replace their all-time great quarterback with any bonafide star quarterback who might help define the future of the team.

The right choice was there at the 37th pick of the draft in Jalen Hurts.

Ironically, Hurts was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with pick No. 53, and the Eagles already have a top-flight quarterback. New England doesn’t. And now likely won’t barring an unforeseen signing of Cam Newton or trade for Jameis Winston.

For nearly two decades the New England Patriots poor drafting and personnel moves generally have been bailed out by one Tom Brady. The ultimate safety net. The ultimate winner who made up for all their fumbling and bumbling in the draft by sheer talent, determination and will. Now he’s gone and so is the great New England Patriots dynasty.

No quarterback in the first three rounds. So New England now will go into the 2020 season with a quarterback who has thrown the sum total of 4 passes in the NFL and a career backup as their options, barring an unforeseen signing or trade for a legitimate NFL quarterback. The last time I looked, it was clear that without a good if not great quarterback, you can’t win.

That alone would consign this draft into the dustbin, but there’s more. None of the players they drafted, most of whom were reaches or very big reaches are difference-makers. A player who can win a game for you by themselves. Offensive skill players. And that is the most glaring deficiency of this draft.

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