NFL Trade Machine: Jimmy Garoppolo Time

Sep 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Vikings 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Is it crazy to think that the suspension of Tom Brady for the first four games of the 2015 season might actually be a blessing in disguise for the New England Patriots. While he is their leader and the biggest reason they win so many games, his exit gives them the perfect opportunity to see what they have in backup Jimmy Garoppolo.

Next man up? Tom Brady's backup Jimmy Garoppolo has played in 6 games, completing 19 of 27 passes for 1 TD and 0 Int. pic.twitter.com/2c7u01lfFJ
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 11, 2015

On the surface it gives them an idea of just how smart of investment they made when they took him in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft. Most assumed it was to groom him as the eventual successor to Brady, but that doesn’t line up with the usual Patriots style. One thing they’ve loved to is drive up the value of players and then flip them in an NFL trade for draft picks. Finding a way to make Garoppolo shine with Brady out would do just that given the large portion of unsettled quarterbacks around the league.

Is it crazy to think they can even grab a 1st rounder out of it? If he plays well enough and if the NFL draft class next year shapes up worse than expected, absolutely. Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t taken in the 2nd round for charity reasons. The young man has talent: size, mobility, ran a pro offense at Eastern Illinois and lauded for his accurate passing.

It would only take one team with enough issues at quarterback to consider him worth the risk. Lord knows the New England Patriots will have interest after losing their 1st rounder in 2016.

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