Whether Tom Brady re-signs with the Patriots this spring or not, New England has to start thinking about a long-term plan at the quarterback position.
Maybe that plan is 2019 fourth-round pick and season-long Brady backup Jarrett Stidham.
Maybe it's not.
A number of mock drafts have slotted a quarterback to the Patriots in the first round come April. After a week of workouts and draft chatter at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indy, NFL.com's latest mock effort slides a projected high-end franchise passer to New England at No. 23.
Though others think he might go somewhere in the top five or 10 selections come April. NFL.com sends Oregon's Justin Herbert to the Patriots.
"It's highly doubtful Herbert will make it this far, but I could see New England targeting him if he starts to slide," NFL.com writes.
This mock comes shortly after a report that Herbert had a meeting with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at the Combine, a meeting the quarterback very much enjoyed given an apparent affinity for the New England passing scheme.
The future of the quarterback position in New England is the biggest story in football these days and adding Herbert's name to the mix does nothing but add to the intrigue.
In @MoveTheSticks' post-combine mock draft, he has four teams taking a QB in Round 1, including the Patriots at No. 23 overall. Which signal-caller might Bill Belichick and Co. target on April 23?https://t.co/CSykeVyQEo pic.twitter.com/YhZXXMa30A
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 2, 2020
