Pats QB Options

[mauf]

It doesn’t seem impossible, just highly unlikely.

Would need the Jets to pass on a QB at 2. If they take Sewell or Parsons, ATL, DET, CAR, DEN are all teams that could go QB currently in front of them.

They would likely need to get into the top 5 to secure Fields or Wilson, if the Jets pass on a QB. If they don’t, they would probably need to move up to 3 or 4.

The only non-QB who’s worth a top-5 pick imo is the LT from Oregon, who is supposedly a generational talent. Wouldn’t be surprised if there are multiple teams looking to trade down, which might make the price more reasonable.

I agree, though, that it will be hard for the Pats to trade into the top 5. If I’m the Dolphins, Falcons, or Bengals, I’d value a package built around this year’s and next year’s 1st rounders from Carolina, Denver, or Detroit much more highly than I’d value a comparable package from New England.

The good news for the Pats is there doesn’t seem to be a consensus 2nd-best QB after Lawrence; if BB happens to prefer Lance or Jones, he might be able to stay put or move up just a few spots to get his guy.

 

[Captaincoop]

After last night, I'm not in love with a big trade up. They need a QB but they need about 25 other things, too. Giving up two premium picks to take a QB who isn't QB1 and throwing him into this team with these receiving weapons and this defense seems like a recipe for disaster. In the middle of the first, they're not really in a great position to draft a QB, and it won't surprise me if they are in better position next year.

Agreed 100%. It's more likely that they trade down, given how badly they need talent at like 5 different positions.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

Agreed 100%. It's more likely that they trade down, given how badly they need talent at like 5 different positions.

Yeah, I think they take a run at a QB they absolutely love (eg Wilson), but they may not be able to execute a trade and I don’t take for granted that they’ll love anybody after Lawrence enough to try it.

 

[CCR]

Agreed 100%. It's more likely that they trade down, given how badly they need talent at like 5 different positions.

Plus they lost their own 3rd rounder which hurts even more now that they're going to have a higher pick than they usually do...

 

[Bongorific]

After last night, I'm not in love with a big trade up. They need a QB but they need about 25 other things, too. Giving up two premium picks to take a QB who isn't QB1 and throwing him into this team with these receiving weapons and this defense seems like a recipe for disaster. In the middle of the first, they're not really in a great position to draft a QB, and it won't surprise me if they are in better position next year.

Why would they be in a better position next year? Is next year’s QB draft class that much deeper? If they bring back Cam or end up with Fitzmagic, Winston, Mariotta, whatever, they’re likely going to win 6-8 games again and be in the same draft range. I think BB is too good of a coach, and able to build a good enough roster, that they’re not going to be a bottom 5 team.

 

[cshea]

Why would they be in a better position next year? Is next year’s QB draft class that much deeper? If they bring back Cam or end up with Fitzmagic, Winston, Mariotta, whatever, they’re likely going to win 6-8 games again and be in the same draft range. I think BB is too good of a coach, and able to build a good enough roster, that they’re not going to be a bottom 5 team.

I think the idea is to improve the rest of the roster, then look for a long term QB when you've got more of a foundation in place for the new QB to play in.

 

[DJnVa]

It’s not Cam or Stidham (weird the Stidham fans didn’t post his stats from last night unless I missed it).

They need to see how draft goes—if someone slips a bit, or grab a second tier QB and sign vet and use picks and cap space to get better in a lot of places.

 

[Super Nomario]

Why would they be in a better position next year? Is next year’s QB draft class that much deeper? If they bring back Cam or end up with Fitzmagic, Winston, Mariotta, whatever, they’re likely going to win 6-8 games again and be in the same draft range. I think BB is too good of a coach, and able to build a good enough roster, that they’re not going to be a bottom 5 team.

Those are fair points. I guess my view is that, picking in the middle of the first, they're not in especially good position to get a QB this year where they have to strike while the iron is hot.

 

[Bongorific]

I think the idea is to improve the rest of the roster, then look for a long term QB when you've got more of a foundation in place for the new QB to play in.

Yeah, there are a lot of holes to fill. As the roster gets better, their record should get better and draft spot worse. I don’t know the answer to the QB question, but I don’t know we should be making a rule that figuring out QB should be this year or next. We need to rely on BB and the scouting. If they really like whatever QB is available first or second round this year, they should do that. If they don’t, maybe it’s another year of punting at the position.

BB draft philosophy has been to take as many chances in what is essentially a lottery. Whether that’s doubling up at a single position in the same draft (Gronk/Hernandez, Ridley/Vreen, Asiasi/Keene), or accumulating picks. Perhaps BB does the same at QB over the next couple of years.

 

[Bongorific]

Those are fair points. I guess my view is that, picking in the middle of the first, they're not in especially good position to get a QB this year where they have to strike while the iron is hot.

That’s probably true. Most NFL starter QBs have been top 10 picks. But not all, and not even the Tom Brady extreme outlier. Rodgers, Mahomes, Carr, Brees, Hurts, Big Ben, Jimmy G, Russ, Dak, were all taken pick 10 or later. And there are certainly a lot of top 10 picks that didn’t work out

Yeah, some of those success stories were lucky and panned out way more than even their teams would have guessed. Someone like Jimmy G or Hurts would be absolutely good enough with BB and a solid overall roster to be a contender though. I don’t mind them using a first or second round pick if they think that’s what they get.

 

[Beomoose]

I can certainly understand the feeling that other needs are too dire to be spending a bunch of draft capital on QB. But I generally expect even first-round QBs, at least those not named Lawrence, will need time to solidify as NFL starters. If we're at the point where the long-term future of the franchise is a new, young Quarterback, then punting on this stacked QB class is only going to put us that much further back.

Trading for a QB renovation project isn't going to make rebuilding the rest of the roster any easier, and I'm not blown away by the Free Agent options. So as it stands I'd rather pick the best guy we can, and spend the rest of the draft, then the season+ it takes him to really hit his stride, rebuilding the team into a contender.

 

[Captaincoop]

I still doubt Belichick uses this year's first on a QB, but one thing the Pats have going for them is the offensive line. Typically rebuilding teams that throw a rookie QB in the fire do so without good line play.

The Pats have the luxury option next year of playing a young guy there and letting him struggle without getting physically killed every week.

 

[vegassoxfan]

I would love to see them get Wilson, but that is not going to happen, I do not know why, but I have a hunch Wentz will be the QB next season, they need wideouts in the worst way. Myers is a good option going forward in the slot, but other then that the rest are taking up roster space

 

[Super Nomario]

I still doubt Belichick uses this year's first on a QB, but one thing the Pats have going for them is the offensive line. Typically rebuilding teams that throw a rookie QB in the fire do so without good line play.

The Pats have the luxury option next year of playing a young guy there and letting him struggle without getting physically killed every week.

They had an OL this year but Thuney (their best offensive player) and Andrews are free agents. Eluemunor, too - he's not great but was their 6th OL in terms of snaps, so we're basically talking needing to re-sign / replace half of their top OL.

 

[Captaincoop]

They had an OL this year but Thuney (their best offensive player) and Andrews are free agents. Eluemunor, too - he's not great but was their 6th OL in terms of snaps, so we're basically talking needing to re-sign / replace half of their top OL.

I'm working from an assumption that they bring back Andrews and let Thuney go. Wynn/Enwenu/Andrews/Mason/Cannon (or Cannon replacement) is not going to get a QB killed IMO.

 

[Super Nomario]

I'm working from an assumption that they bring back Andrews and let Thuney go. Wynn/Enwenu/Andrews/Mason/Cannon (or Cannon replacement) is not going to get a QB killed IMO.

That OL will be really good for the 7 games or whatever Wynn is available.

 

[Harry Hooper]

That OL will be really good for the 7 games or whatever Wynn is available.

This is a definite concern. If Andrews is re-signed, you have 2 starters on the OL that you should expect to miss some playing time. The #2 C has to be a better player than a typical backup, and the swing tackle the same. Prefer to re-sign Thuney and trade Mason, but that is unlikely. The loss of both Thuney and Andrews reduces an area of relative strength in a hurry.

 

[ShaneTrot]

The Pats can trade up in the draft for a QB. They are not getting Lawrence but if they have the balls to get someone they think is the new franchise QB, it can be done. It costs a lot, so they better be sure. They will be picking in the low teens but there are a bunch of teams that have QBs picking before them: Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Detroit come to mind. The Wentz price was astronomical.
Mahomes trade:
Kansas City Chiefs received: No. 10 pick in 2017 NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills received: No. 27 pick in 2017 NFL Draft (Tre'Davious White); third-round 2017 pick (this pick was packaged in a trade that led to Buffalo taking both tackle Dion Dawkins and receiver Zay Jones); first-round 2018 pick (used to trade up and take linebacker Tremaine Edmunds; Buffalo also drafted defensive back Siran Neal with a final pick acquired along with Edmunds)
Wentz trade:
The Eagles get: The No. 2 pick in 2016 and a 2017 fourth-round pick.
The Browns get: The No. 8 pick in 2016, the No. 77 pick (third round) in 2016, the No. 100 pick (fourth round) in 2016, a 2017 first-rounder and a 2018 second-rounder.
Josh Allen trade:
a trade with Tampa Bay at pick seven, gave up their pick at 12 and both of their second-round picks (53, 56) in exchange for the seventh pick and a seventh-round pick (255)
Darnold trade:
the No. 3 overall pick of the draft in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets are sending their sixth, 37th and 49th overall selections in this year's draft and their second-rounder in 2019 to Indianapolis.

 

[rodderick]

The Pats can trade up in the draft for a QB. They are not getting Lawrence but if they have the balls to get someone they think is the new franchise QB, it can be done. It costs a lot, so they better be sure. They will be picking in the low teens but there are a bunch of teams that have QBs picking before them: Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Detroit come to mind. The Wentz price was astronomical.
Mahomes trade:
Kansas City Chiefs received: No. 10 pick in 2017 NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills received: No. 27 pick in 2017 NFL Draft (Tre'Davious White); third-round 2017 pick (this pick was packaged in a trade that led to Buffalo taking both tackle Dion Dawkins and receiver Zay Jones); first-round 2018 pick (used to trade up and take linebacker Tremaine Edmunds; Buffalo also drafted defensive back Siran Neal with a final pick acquired along with Edmunds)
Wentz trade:
The Eagles get: The No. 2 pick in 2016 and a 2017 fourth-round pick.
The Browns get: The No. 8 pick in 2016, the No. 77 pick (third round) in 2016, the No. 100 pick (fourth round) in 2016, a 2017 first-rounder and a 2018 second-rounder.
Josh Allen trade:
a trade with Tampa Bay at pick seven, gave up their pick at 12 and both of their second-round picks (53, 56) in exchange for the seventh pick and a seventh-round pick (255)
Darnold trade:
the No. 3 overall pick of the draft in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets are sending their sixth, 37th and 49th overall selections in this year's draft and their second-rounder in 2019 to Indianapolis.

As usual, it's all about who you pick. If the guy's great, even three first round picks look like a bargain, if he's meh a second rounder is steep. I hope they don't hesitate for a second if a QB they love is on the board at, say, the 7th selection and they have to trade up about 5-8 spots for him.

 

[sodenj5]

The Pats can trade up in the draft for a QB. They are not getting Lawrence but if they have the balls to get someone they think is the new franchise QB, it can be done. It costs a lot, so they better be sure. They will be picking in the low teens but there are a bunch of teams that have QBs picking before them: Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Detroit come to mind. The Wentz price was astronomical.
Mahomes trade:
Kansas City Chiefs received: No. 10 pick in 2017 NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills received: No. 27 pick in 2017 NFL Draft (Tre'Davious White); third-round 2017 pick (this pick was packaged in a trade that led to Buffalo taking both tackle Dion Dawkins and receiver Zay Jones); first-round 2018 pick (used to trade up and take linebacker Tremaine Edmunds; Buffalo also drafted defensive back Siran Neal with a final pick acquired along with Edmunds)
Wentz trade:
The Eagles get: The No. 2 pick in 2016 and a 2017 fourth-round pick.
The Browns get: The No. 8 pick in 2016, the No. 77 pick (third round) in 2016, the No. 100 pick (fourth round) in 2016, a 2017 first-rounder and a 2018 second-rounder.
Josh Allen trade:
a trade with Tampa Bay at pick seven, gave up their pick at 12 and both of their second-round picks (53, 56) in exchange for the seventh pick and a seventh-round pick (255)
Darnold trade:
the No. 3 overall pick of the draft in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The Jets are sending their sixth, 37th and 49th overall selections in this year's draft and their second-rounder in 2019 to Indianapolis.

The biggest thing is where the Pats ultimately end up and what the Jets do. If the Jets pass on a QB, that leaves one more partner at the dance.

I disagree with your assessment on Detroit and Atlanta. I think they’re both going to be looking at QBs.

Cincy, Miami, and Philly might be willing trade partners in the top 10.

If it goes
1.) Lawrence JAX
2.) Sewell NYJ
3.) Chase MIA
4.) Fields ATL

5 and 6 become logical spots for teams looking at QB to try and get ahead of Detroit with Cincy and Philly sitting there.

There’s a chance NE can sit at 14 and hope that QB4 falls to them if Carolina, and Denver both pass on a QB.

That goes out the window if the Jets take a QB and there will be a lot more urgency to get into the top 10 to get QB3 or QB4.

 

[Super Nomario]

I disagree with your assessment on Detroit and Atlanta. I think they’re both going to be looking at QBs.

They have Stafford and Ryan, still playing well, under reasonable contract with considerable dead money. I don't think moving on is smart, and then you consider those teams will have new GMs, new GMs who haven't been able to build up their scouting team and infrastructure. Are they going to draft a QB based on the old regime's scouting reports, or go it alone and ignoring the existing scouts' opinions? To me it makes more sense to run it back with the QBs they have, get their front office / scouting team together for 2021, and scouting QBs for the 2022 draft if they want to do that.

 

[Saints Rest]

That’s probably true. Most NFL starter QBs have been top 10 picks. But not all, and not even the Tom Brady extreme outlier. Rodgers, Mahomes, Carr, Brees, Hurts, Big Ben, Jimmy G, Russ, Dak, were all taken pick 10 or later. And there are certainly a lot of top 10 picks that didn’t work out

Yeah, some of those success stories were lucky and panned out way more than even their teams would have guessed. Someone like Jimmy G or Hurts would be absolutely good enough with BB and a solid overall roster to be a contender though. I don’t mind them using a first or second round pick if they think that’s what they get.

I think about this a lot, and its converse, the number of top-5 pick QBs bomb out, and wonder if both sides of that equation are driven by the facts that high-picking teams are generally teams that have a LOT of deficiencies, both on the roster and in management/coaching, while teams picking in the back parts of the draft are better teams/organizations. Even Manning and Aikman were pretty bad in their rookie years until the rest of the team caught up.

 

[biggreen]

NM. Posted link in error.

 

[Bongorific]

I think about this a lot, and its converse, the number of top-5 pick QBs bomb out, and wonder if both sides of that equation are driven by the facts that high-picking teams are generally teams that have a LOT of deficiencies, both on the roster and in management/coaching, while teams picking in the back parts of the draft are better teams/organizations. Even Manning and Aikman were pretty bad in their rookie years until the rest of the team caught up.

That’s a good question. We probably underrate how important good coaching is on player development. Most of my friends are Jets or Bills fans so I was surrounded by who would be better, Allen or Darnold, debates coming out of that draft. Maybe they have different careers if they didn’t land in the spots that they did.

Tannehill is a good example. He was an absolute garbage can under Gase but since leaving is a very serviceable, middle of the pack QB. Could, or could have, Darnold be similar? Would Allen still be making a lot of the mental mistakes he was in his rookie and first half sophomore year if he was on a poorly coached team?

 

[sodenj5]

That’s a good question. We probably underrate how important good coaching is on player development. Most of my friends are Jets or Bills fans so I was surrounded by who would be better, Allen or Darnold, debates coming out of that draft. Maybe they have different careers if they didn’t land in the spots that they did.

Tannehill is a good example. He was an absolute garbage can under Gase but since leaving is a very serviceable, middle of the pack QB. Could, or could have, Darnold be similar? Would Allen still be making a lot of the mental mistakes he was in his rookie and first half sophomore year if he was on a poorly coached team?

Not to quibble, but Ryan Tannehill has been a top 5-10 QB since joining the Titans. Like went to an offense perfectly suited to maximize his skill set and has been one of the most efficient passers in the league. Currently 6th in DYAR and 7th in DVOA this year.

Patriots fans should be over the moon if they unearth the next Tannehill.

 

[rodderick]

That’s a good question. We probably underrate how important good coaching is on player development. Most of my friends are Jets or Bills fans so I was surrounded by who would be better, Allen or Darnold, debates coming out of that draft. Maybe they have different careers if they didn’t land in the spots that they did.

Tannehill is a good example. He was an absolute garbage can under Gase but since leaving is a very serviceable, middle of the pack QB. Could, or could have, Darnold be similar? Would Allen still be making a lot of the mental mistakes he was in his rookie and first half sophomore year if he was on a poorly coached team?

You have it wrong on Tannehill. He was a middle of the pack, serviceable QB under Gase and since leaving has been a top 10 player at his position by any metric. Arguably top 5.

 

[mauf]

I can certainly understand the feeling that other needs are too dire to be spending a bunch of draft capital on QB. But I generally expect even first-round QBs, at least those not named Lawrence, will need time to solidify as NFL starters. If we're at the point where the long-term future of the franchise is a new, young Quarterback, then punting on this stacked QB class is only going to put us that much further back.

Trading for a QB renovation project isn't going to make rebuilding the rest of the roster any easier, and I'm not blown away by the Free Agent options. So as it stands I'd rather pick the best guy we can, and spend the rest of the draft, then the season+ it takes him to really hit his stride, rebuilding the team into a contender.

I’m not sure it’s a “stacked QB class.” Lawrence is the most heralded QB prospect since Luck, but the others all seem like guys you can wish on. Which is what Josh Allen was three years ago, so perhaps the Pats’ QB of the future is out there. But perhaps he isn’t.

You probably only bet on a young QB once every 3-4 years, at most, so deciding whether one of the guys who might be gettable is the potential heir apparent is the most critical decision of the off-season. If the answer is “no,” it’s imperative to keep the powder dry and address other roster needs.

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

They have Stafford and Ryan, still playing well, under reasonable contract with considerable dead money. I don't think moving on is smart, and then you consider those teams will have new GMs, new GMs who haven't been able to build up their scouting team and infrastructure. Are they going to draft a QB based on the old regime's scouting reports, or go it alone and ignoring the existing scouts' opinions? To me it makes more sense to run it back with the QBs they have, get their front office / scouting team together for 2021, and scouting QBs for the 2022 draft if they want to do that.

If the Falcons get decent coaching in 2021, and anything like a reversion to the mean in terms of results, they shouldn't be in any sort of 2022 draft position to select a top-tier QB. There's definitely a school of thought that unless they think Ryan can lead them to another Super Bowl, which is a very dubious proposition, they should try and pick a long-term replacement for Ryan this year and let him develop for at least a year with Ryan's help - they could afford to target a prospect like Lance and take their time with him. (Although Lance himself at #3 or #4 seems like a reach...maybe it's Wilson, or they can trade down?) I'm sure Sewell will be tempting if he's available, though, which will depend on whether the Falcons rise to #3 and whether the Jets decide to cut bait with Darnold. It certainly figures to be an interesting draft starting with the #2 pick!

 

[Bongorific]

Not to quibble, but Ryan Tannehill has been a top 5-10 QB since joining the Titans. Like went to an offense perfectly suited to maximize his skill set and has been one of the most efficient passers in the league. Currently 6th in DYAR and 7th in DVOA this year.

Patriots fans should be over the moon if they unearth the next Tannehill.

You have it wrong on Tannehill. He was a middle of the pack, serviceable QB under Gase and since leaving has been a top 10 player at his position by any metric. Arguably top 5.

Fair. That’s my own bias because I see him as a borderline top 10 talent. If I had a blank slate team for 1 year I wouldn’t pick him in my top 5. Probably around 9-10. Sodenj is correct in that he’s a great fit for that offense particular offense.

The broader point being getting out of Miami was a huge benefit for his growth.

 

[sodenj5]

Fair. That’s my own bias because I see him as a borderline top 10 talent. If I had a blank slate team for 1 year I wouldn’t pick him in my top 5. Probably around 9-10. Sodenj is correct in that he’s a great fit for that offense particular offense.

The broader point being getting out of Miami was a huge benefit for his growth.

Which is the larger point in any QB development. Justin Herbert was the third projected QB this year and has been the best rookie QB statistically because he went to an offense that uses his arm talent and he’s surrounded by very good skill position players. He was not this QB at Oregon for 4 seasons.

Tannehill showed flashes of this in Miami, but they too often tried to force him to be a drop back pocket passer when he’s a far better playaction boot/waggle QB that can use his legs to hurt defenses.

Fit and supporting cast matters for a QB.

 

[Garshaparra]

Fit and supporting cast matters for a QB.

Absolutely agreed, which is why I'm convinced Trey Lance is the guy the Pats should be targeting. He's ideal in RPO, which is what this team is already built to produce. Harry will never be a downfield threat, so use him like a 3rd TE. Draft Lance, spend money on a QB1 with similar skills (welcome back Jacoby!), spend the real money on WR/LB/DT, and this team can be a real threat next year.

 

[Beomoose]

Absolutely agreed, which is why I'm convinced Trey Lance is the guy the Pats should be targeting. He's ideal in RPO, which is what this team is already built to produce. Harry will never be a downfield threat, so use him like a 3rd TE. Draft Lance, spend money on a QB1 with similar skills (welcome back Jacoby!), spend the real money on WR/LB/DT, and this team can be a real threat next year.

Even as author of the "can we grab Fields?" post, I really would love for Lance to be there for us. Along with the potential to be a great RPO quarterback, I am a fan of his cool head in the pocket. And of his being from and having played in a cold weather state.

 

[BaseballJones]

Harry is 6'4", 225. If he could add 15 pounds and get up to 240, he'd still be light for a TE, but that's workable. It sure would make him a much more interesting piece.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

I'm curious about what the market will be for Fitz. Guessing he's gained enough love this season to be in a position where he can choose a team that has a bonafide opening as at least a 2021 starter and the Pats likely can offer that... but does he have enough juice to command a two-year deal with decent guaranteed money across both years?

Also wondering if Pats would consider him at all given Fitz's gunslinger nature... we all know all about his intelligence, but at the same time he's historically been bold about throwing it up for grabs and his interception numbers are less than ideal.

 

[Bowser]

Cross-posting from the prospect forum:

Ran into this article on Walterfootball, which cites character concerns regarding Zach Wilson. One team insider describes Wilson as:

"Johnny Manziel comp without the [drugs]. [Wilson] is fun to watch, but is he a 1-year flash in the pan? Someone will grab him in the first [round]. I doubt he gets to the second [round] because once the third quarterback goes, after Lawrence and Fields, there will be a run on them. [Wilson] has character concerns, rich kid who is an entitled brat -- uncle owns Jet Blue -- parents are a pain, not a leader, selfish, and he's a know-it-all."

(Put me down for Trey Lance or Mac Jones.)

 

[Super Nomario]

Cross-posting from the prospect forum:

Ran into this article on Walterfootball, which cites character concerns regarding Zach Wilson. One team insider describes Wilson as:

"Johnny Manziel comp without the [drugs]. [Wilson] is fun to watch, but is he a 1-year flash in the pan? Someone will grab him in the first [round]. I doubt he gets to the second [round] because once the third quarterback goes, after Lawrence and Fields, there will be a run on them. [Wilson] has character concerns, rich kid who is an entitled brat -- uncle owns Jet Blue -- parents are a pain, not a leader, selfish, and he's a know-it-all."

(Put me down for Trey Lance or Mac Jones.)

This has been denied and Walter Football is less than credible.

 

[Bowser]

Yes, mea culpa. I thought it was worth posting because it quoted several team sources and expressed an opinion I had not heard. I considered it food for thought. But I understand this is the shit-slinging time of year, and Walterfootball is apparently happy to give the slingers an outlet.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I think Wilson is going to be the 2nd QB taken.

The question for me is how far does Lance fall? I've seen him as high as 7 and as low as the 2nd round.

 

[Mugsy’s Walk-Off Bunt]

A ton can change, obviously, but my sense right now is that Zach Wilson is approaching near-consensus #2 QB off the board. I doubt Patriots can get up to him, but from the little I've seen, I wouldn't complain.

 

[Humphrey]

I watched Lance play against JMU last year, watched the whole game.

Hell of a runner, but I don't remember a darned thing about his passing. Just looked the game stats up. 6-10 passing for 72 yards. 30 rushes for 166 yards, neither of which you can do in the NFL.

 

[SMU_Sox]

I asked Mark Schofield, Matt Chatham, Mark Perry, and Matt Waldman about team building and approaches to QB. Matt likes the veteran option.

The problem with this team is that because they have missed on so many draft picks and the mid-tier FAs they have are all aging out anyway they have very few people they can build the team around. Losing their natural 3rd rounder hurts even more this year even when considering that a 3rd round pick doesn't usually amount to much. But when you are running on fumes you need every last drop in the tank.

If they beat the Jets and end up picking in the teens the cost is going to be v high for moving up and will likely cost them at least their 2nd rounder this year +. That's also where not having the 3rd hurts. Draft capital for that pick is high 50s to mid 60s depending on where they finish. That's enough to go from 15-11 or 12 or from 10 to 7 or 8.

I don't think there is a right answer here but the front 7 is appalling this year with not a single dynamic 3 down threat (Uche may make that leap next year - his snaps in the first half against BUF was v v good before he was hurt).

A veteran option is needed anyway. Stafford seems like the best trade option over Ryan but it is unclear what kind of draft capital it would take to pry him away.

 

[Zincman]

I've watched Mac Jones all year and its really hard to get a read on his ability. He mostly plays pitch and catch with almost no pressure and throws to more weapons than the French Army. I'm with the folks who want a vet QB and spend draft capital elsewhere.

 

[tims4wins]

I've watched Mac Jones all year and its really hard to get a read on his ability. He mostly plays pitch and catch with almost no pressure and throws to more weapons than the French Army. I'm with the folks who want a vet QB and spend draft capital elsewhere.

Yeah I have no idea if he is good. But if BB thinks he is the guy I’m fine with drafting him at 12-15.

 

[Zincman]

Yeah I have no idea if he is good. But if BB thinks he is the guy I’m fine with drafting him at 12-15.

My sense is that its a bit early. I can see him falling to ROUND 2

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Mac Jones is basically AJ McCarron, isn't he?

 

[Bowser]

So you're saying there's a chance, Zach?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Mac Jones is basically AJ McCarron, isn't he?

I think it's telling that a lot of his comps (McCarron, Fromm, Cousins) are all productive college QBs that people talked about sneaking into Round 1, who dropped to the middle rounds (4 and 5)

 

[djbayko]

So you're saying there's a chance, Zach?

Bill is already tampering, I see.

 

[Beomoose]

So you're saying there's a chance, Zach?

I guess the Jets are guaranteed to pick him now.

 

[Oppo]

So you're saying there's a chance, Zach?

He looks 5’6” in that picture