Inside the Patriots Draft Room: Finding the Final Pieces to Reclaim the Lombardi Trophy
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Quarterbacks
While Tom Brady has continued to stay in front of Father Time, the Patriots quarterback room underwent a major overhaul this past season. Gone are former day two picks Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett and back by Brady’s side is Brian Hoyer, who previously spent three seasons in New England from 2009-2011. Both Brady and Hoyer are signed through the 2019 season, but there’s no question the Patriots need to think about the future and inject youth into the QB room.
Relatively quietly, the #Patriots hosted #Louisville QB Lamar Jackson on a Top 30 pre-draft visit, sources say. The visit, which took place 2 weeks ago, left the organization “intrigued and impressed” with Heisman Trophy winner. They may have the option at No. 23.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2018
As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported, Lamar Jackson was the only QB the Patriots hosted on a top-30 visit, however the team also worked out Mason Rudolph (Oklahoma State), Luke Falk (Washington State) and Kyle Lauletta (Richmond). If Jackson, or any other first-round quarterback winds up in New England, it’s an indication that Patriots offensive coordinator (and not Indianapolis Colts head coach) Josh McDaniels was given more power when it comes to putting together the roster. McDaniels is all but guaranteed the head coach position in New England once Belichick retires, so it would be fitting to allow him to groom a QB of his choosing. Jackson didn’t complete any athletic testing at the Scouting Combine or Louisville’s Pro Day so he wasn’t graded here, but here are the quarterbacks who fit what the Patriots traditionally look for in a quarterback.
Highly-valued skills:
height, weight, arm length, short shuttle (62 graded)
1. Josh Allen (Wyoming) 71.4%
2. Chad Kanoff (Princeton) 35.7%
Fell below the minimum threshold in one category, but still finished with a positive score
1. Josh Rosen (UCLA) 35.7%
2. Ryan Burns (Stanford) 21.4%
3. Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) 7.1%
3. Max Browne (Pittsburgh) 7.1%
3. Max Staver (Maine) 7.1%