Fansided
Fansided

Jimmy Garoppolo Trade Heavily Impacts 2018 NFL Draft

By Erik Lambert

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 7: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 7: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on September 7, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 7: Jimmy Garoppolo
FOXBORO, MA – SEPTEMBER 7: Jimmy Garoppolo /

The San Francisco 49ers shook up the NFL world when they made a deal with the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

The backup to Tom Brady has been a hot commodity on the trade market since January. After free agency and the draft passes, most felt the Patriots were saving him to become heir apparent. As it turns out New England was evaluating. They wanted to see how Brady played during the first half of this season. If it was at his customary level of excellence, the team would feel better about parting ways with the young former 2nd round pick.

That’s what ended up happening. Brady is once again lighting the league up. The Patriots responded by shipping Garoppolo off to San Francisco in exchange for a 2nd round pick. It essence the Patriots got 3.5 seasons of solid reserve work from the ex-Eastern Illinois product at minimal cost. Meanwhile the 49ers get a young, polished player who is ready for his opportunity to start in the NFL.

Garoppolo deal has a profound impact on 2018 NFL draft

Up until now the 2018 NFL draft outlook was starting to take shape. The 49ers and Cleveland Browns headline the chase for the #1 overall pick. Everybody was convinced that if San Francisco came away with it they’d take a quarterback. Now that is no longer a possibility. Throw in the fact that the Browns have DeShone Kizer and it throws the entire outlook of the quarterback situation next year into flux.

Further complicating matters is Kirk Cousins. The Washington Redskins Pro Bowler still hasn’t signed a long-term extension. With the franchise tag off the table, it’s a virtual certainty he’ll be a free agent. With San Francisco, his most likely projected landing spot gone, this means other teams will be able to court him. Thus the waters are muddied even further as to where the top QBs next year will end up.

Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Quarterback Plunge Creates Chaos

It could end up being one of the strangest top 10 runs of a draft seen in a long time. Lots of trading and lots of unexpected choices.

Home/NFL Hot Takes