New England Patriots: Players to trade-up for in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Ian Higgins
Following an offseason unseen in Foxborough since the arrival of Bill Belichick, the New England Patriots look to be potentially deviating from their conventional blueprint for a more aggressive approach. Spending over $300 million on total contract value, the Patriots addressed immediate team needs such as the lack of receiving threats with immediate veteran additions.
Still searching for their quarterback of the future, the New England Patriots could look to sacrifice a collection of their mid-round assets in this year’s draft as well as their near future in order to make sure they get their guy and open a championship window under the duration of their signal-callers rookie contract. With a premium being paid for quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, New England will likely need to break open their vault of picks for their guy.
1
Justin Fields QB
Potential Trade:
Impressing with his toughness and leadership as a Buckeye, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields is an exceptional athlete with all of the physical tools to excel as a modern NFL quarterback. 4.4 speed, big arm, the ability to throw off-platform, it’s all there. What has plagued Field’s draft stock though has been mechanical inconsistencies resulting in downfield inaccuracy as well as occasional mental errors leading to unneeded mistakes.
By trading up for Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots would be signaling an immediate quarterback competition between their draft selection and incumbent veteran Cam Newton. Both fit smoothly into New England’s Newton-based power offense centered around play-action and quarterback carries inside the red zone, and Fields could take over as soon as halfway through the season if he is able to reign in his mechanics.