REPORT: The Commanders & Patriots May Turn The NFL Draft On Its Head As Multiple Teams Look To Trade Up For Top QB’s…

Casey Kaye
By Casey Kaye
(Credit: On3.com)

In the lead-up to next month’s NFL Draft, the Washington Commanders and New England Patriots are both in position to throw a dramatic wrench into what we expect to happen.

Both have long been expected to draft quarterbacks.

Most fans and analysts believe the Chicago Bears will select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the top overall pick. Then North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels will follow. 

However, things are starting to get very interesting as the rumor mill begins to swirl stronger than ever. 

Arguably the most polarizing player in the entire draft is Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 

Despite leading the Wolverines on a dominant national title run, it wasn’t that long ago that many “experts” had McCarthy pegged as a middle-to-late first-round pick.

However, he has rapidly ascended the draft boards of several teams thanks to an exceptionally strong Pro Day performance as well as his football IQ and overall intangibles shining though during individual meetings with teams. 

https://twitter.com/betr/status/1771626068073386486/video/1

There are reports that both the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are extremely high on McCarthy (especially the Vikings).

Currently sitting with the #11 overall pick, it’s clear that if McCarthy is indeed Minnesota’s guy, they will most likely need to trade up in the draft (and we’re not just talking about a few spots).

If the Vikings are 100% sold on McCarthy, they may have to trade all the way up to the second spot to ensure they can grab him. 

Perhaps it’s a leverage leak, but all of a sudden, the Commanders are said to be strongly considering drafting McCarthy themselves. 

This would be a dramatic change from their previous “Maye or Daniels” debate.

Both Washington and New England are in clear rebuild-mode. (Especially the Patriots, who have gutted their entire operation and are content to start to rebuild from the ground-up.)

Nobody will feel sorry for Patriots fans, but the fact is they are looking at arguably the longest and cruelest rebuild of any team in the entire league. 

Quarterback is by far the most important position in all of sports. Both Washington and New England would be wise to draft the quarterback who they value the most.

However, it’s hard to ignore the gold mine that either would get in return for trading their pick. 

With multiple teams expected to explore trading up due to this being the strongest quarterback draft in several years, it’s clear the amount of leverage that both the Commanders and Patriots have. 

However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that neither organization is too anxious to engage in trade talks, which perhaps hints at both of their convictions in who they are targeting.

“This year, it will be the teams’ try to come up to Washington’s spot at two and New England’s spot at three in the draft, though both teams are apprehensive to give up those picks,” Schefter reported.

As far as the Patriots, new head coach Jerod Mayo admitted that while the focus is on quarterback, they won’t be straying too far away from their phones. 

“Obviously, quarterback is definitely a priority. With that being said, we’re still open to any type of deals that come our way,” Mayo said on the first day of the NFL annual meeting, when asked where the team stands in its evaluation of QB’s in the draft.

“We’re very far [into] the process, but we still have a long way to go. Definitely feel like we have time to really nail down our prospects in who we are going to go after,” Mayo added.

“It’s hard to put a number, as far as percentage, on how far along we are. Remember, there are other positions besides quarterback as well. We’ll be at 100% when the draft gets here [April 25]. Just not yet,” he concluded. 

In recent weeks, Mayo, alongside director of scouting Eliot Wolf, has attended pro days for top quarterback prospects, including Williams and McCarthy from Michigan. They are also scheduled to evaluate Maye and Daniels.

Owner Robert Kraft has expressed anticipation for the upcoming draft, considering it the most significant during his tenure due to their uncharacteristically high pick and the clear changing of the guard in Foxborough. 

A similar tune is being sung in Washington as the Commanders try to establish their new culture and identity under their new ownership group and head coach Dan Quinn. 

Of course, we’re about to enter peak smoke screen season. As we all know, 99% of the rumors we will hear over the next month will be complete BS.

Having said that, what are your thoughts on the top three picks of the draft?

Will the Bears, Commanders and Patriots sit tight? … Or do you think there will be a team – such as the Vikings – who end up trading into the top three?

How do you rank the top quarterbacks in the draft?

Will McCarthy end up being the best of all of them?

Or do you think the new hype surrounding him is being blown way out of proportion???

 

[gs-fb-comments]

🔥 MORE BREAKING NEWS

🔥 MORE BREAKING NEWS

© Copyright FanRumor.com - All Rights Reserved