This is unfamiliar territory for the Patriots.
After missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008, the Patriots will be selecting at No. 15 overall, the highest they've selected since taking Jerod Mayo No. 10 overall in 2008.
While the draft is months away, it will be a major topic of discussion and The Athletic's NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler joined Ordway, Merloni & Fauria Thursday to give an early primer for New England.
Brugler believes the Patriots will have a lot of different options at No. 15, which is good considering all the needs they have.
"It's such an unfamiliar position for this franchise, it's really hard to say because they've had that quarterback for the last 20 years and they haven't had to worry about it in the early rounds," he said. "Even when they did go quarterback in the early rounds, it was never in the first. There were times they'd look at it in the second or the third, but never this early. So, it's really just unchartered waters for this franchise and that just makes it tough for those of us on the outside looking in to really get a sense for what they are trying to do.
"What they do in free agency and before the draft, that might tip their hand a little bit, but there's a lot of needs on this team on both sides of the ball. They could go offensive line. You know Coach Belichick would love to upgrade the defensive line. They could add a premier talent like a Kyle Pitts at tight end. There's just so many different areas they could address. And at 15, in the middle of the first round, I think it really opens them up to a lot of different options."
When it comes to the quarterback spot, he isn't confident any of the top four players will fall that far and noted part of that is because next year's class is not expected to be good at all.
"I am really not confident that any of those top four guys are going to be available there," Brugler said. "There are a couple of factors here. First, these top four quarterbacks this year are incredibly talented — Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance. Second, the need is there among teams picking in the top 10-12 picks where there's a lot of quarterback-needy teams. And I think more than ever, just the vibe around the scouting world and NFL teams. Teams are more willing to take chances on the physically gifted passers and I think it's a Josh Allen effect where they might be a little bit off mechanically, there might just be something off, but if they have the physical talent, they have the intelligence, we can work with that and let's bring them in and let's make something happen. I think one more factor - just talking with scouts - is they are very underwhelmed by next year's quarterback group."
