5 Quarterbacks the New England Patriots Could Draft to Replace Jimmy Garoppolo

Regardless of the historic success the New England Patriots have had, Bill Belichick and company are always looking for ways to improve. One way they’ve done this over the years is through player trades. At least at the quarterback position, the Patriots have taken this to a new level in 2017.

Jacoby Brissett was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, and now Jimmy Garoppolo is on his way to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Garoppolo was long thought of as the heir apparent to Tom Brady. Even before the trade was announced, there was a belief that the Patriots would place the franchise tag on Garoppolo for next season before eventually handing him the keys to the franchise. That didn’t happen, much like it didn’t happen with Matt Cassel, Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer. As a result of the Garoppolo trade, Hoyer returns to New England where he began his career as an undrafted free agent in 2009.

Hoyer isn’t the long-term backup solution for the Patriots, and it’s very likely Brady will outlast him a second time. Despite the return of Hoyer, the Patriots are in need of a new heir apparent. Someone who can learn the system, develop into a preseason star and eventually be traded for a future draft pick while Brady plays deep into his 40s. Who’ll fill the void left by Garoppolo? Here are five quarterbacks eligible for the 2018 NFL Draft who fit what the Patriots look for at the position.