NFL Rumors: Patriots would be bold to make this QB move
The New England Patriots have improved their offense by adding the best wide receiver in free agency, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and a good tight end in Mike Gesicki.
More needs to be done to augment a languid offense but another skill position also needs to be addressed.
The Patriots cut ties with long-time backup Brian Hoyer (like to see him added as a QB coach if he decides to hang up his cleats. He’s a Patriot through and through). In his absence, another quarterback needs to be added either through trade, free agency, or the draft.
The uber option would be to go all-in and trade the works for the most dynamic player in the NFL, Lamar Jackson. That would be the choice here all day long. Even former Patriots stalwart Rob Nincovich has even suggested the same on national TV. Ninko has it right.
Yet, assuming that doesn’t (and it of course probably won’t, makes too much sense), then other options must be and now will be looked at by Bill Belichick and company.
Let’s look at a couple of options.
New England Patriots need to be bold at quarterback
A non-trade for Lamar Jackson means that Mac Jones will remain the front-runner at quarterback for 2023. Jones has had an up-and-down first two seasons.
2021 was very good. 2022 wasn’t. One thing is certain, however, without a top offensive line the immobile Jones will flop.
The O-line additions thus far there have been underwhelming. Money was spent but top quality was not obtained. Hopefully, that gets remedied in the draft but with the New England Patriots, the obvious is never a sure thing.
QB possibilities exist that wouldn’t make sense. One is by trade within the division. That would be for the polar opposite of Jones, Skylar Thompson, an optimally mobile quarterback from the Miami Dolphins.
Not certain if he’d be available, but the DeVante Parker trade last season with Miami signals that a trade with the Dolphins is possible.
Thompson especially in the absence of the now still deficient offensive line possesses an essential quality in abundance called escapability. Conversely, Jones has little of it.
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Unlike the statuesque Jones who can’t evade the rush very well, Thompson’s best attribute is just that. That asset is always valuable but with a less-than-optimum offensive line, it’s an absolute necessity. As an added plus, Thompson played with Gesicki in Miami last season.
Should the Patriots dangle one of their three fourth-round picks in front of Miami (Thompson was a seventh-round pick last season), it just might be accepted. It says here if they’ll take it, make the move in a hurry for the 25-year-old Thompson.
New England Patriots can draft a young quarterback
Absent a trade for Thompson or another option, the New England Patriots can and likely would draft a quarterback to provide additional competition for Jones and backup Bailey Zappe.
One option is Florida’s athletically gifted Anthony Richardson. He’s likely going to be a high first-round draft pick and he’s a hit-or-miss prospect but his combine numbers were off the chart. Should the team decide to take a flier and bring in a possible mega-star, Richardson is a high-cost option.
Another draft option would be in a lower round. That could be Hendon Hooker from Tennessee. Top pundit Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal has raised him as a possibility.
985thesportshub cites Bedard on Hooker,
"The guy Hendon Hooker from Tennessee. Really talented. I just want a guy who’s going to sit for two years that Billy O’Brien can coach up. A developmental guy with traits that has a chance. Might not get there, but I’m taking a chance. I’m rolling the dice”."
Next. Grades and reactions to Patriots biggest free agency moves (thus far). dark
Hooker is sixth on Pro Football Focus’ list of top quarterbacks in the draft. He’s a bit older though, at 25 years old.
Those are a few options at quarterback. What do you think the Patriots should do in that position?