What to watch for in Rounds 2-3 of NFL draft: Will Patriots draft quarterback?

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Photo credit Brian Spurlock/USA Today Sports

Day 1 is in the books and now it’s time for Day 2 of the NFL draft, which will feature Rounds 2 and 3 Friday night. After a trade earlier in the day, the Patriots (as of now) have two picks — Nos. 43 and 63 overall, both in the second round.

In the first round the Patriots selected offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn at No. 23 and then running back Sony Michel at No. 31, which leads to asking the question of will the Patriots have more of a defensive focus on Day 2?

Also, they don’t have a selection in either the third or fourth round, so could a trade also be in the works either to move back, or trade up? Either seems to be on the table.

Here are three things to watch from a Patriots perspective Friday night.

1. Is a quarterback taken?

This remains the biggest question surrounding the Patriots in the entire draft. New England passed on Lamar Jackson with both its first-round picks, which leaves Mason Rudolph and Kyle Lauletta as the next two quarterbacks likely to go. After that there’s still some decent ones available like Mike White, Luke Falk, Chase Litton and Logan Woodside, but they are a tier behind the aforementioned two. There are still a few teams who seem to be in the market for a QB, so if the Patriots want Rudolph or Lauletta, they may need to strike before No. 63. Our gut says the Patriots will end up with Lauletta at the end of the night somehow. One plausible scenario is trading back a few spots at No. 43 to add a third-round pick and then ultimately take the Richmond QB with that new second-rounder.

2. Trades

It’s almost certain the Patriots will make at least one trade Friday night. Like we noted, there’s an 80-pick gap between their second-round pick and fifth-round pick and that big of a gap usually doesn’t last on Bill Belichick’s board. Another thing to consider is the Patriots seem to dislike picking in the fifth round, as they have only made one selection in that round since 2012. A scenario could have them trading the fifth-rounder and one of their two sixth-round picks to move up into the fourth round. One other scenario could be trading pick No. 43 to get maybe a third and a fourth-round pick. It all depends where Belichick sees the best value in the draft.

3. Linebackers and defensive ends

Besides Adrian Clayborn, not much help has been given to the Patriots defense when it comes to edge rushers and linebackers. While Belichick and Nick Caserio both dismissed the drafting for need mentality, it’s really hard to see them going into training camp with the current linebackers group. Some fresh blood needs to be added as there appear to be some good possibilities available in the second round. There’s a very strong likelihood one of the Patriots’ next two picks is either a linebacker or edge rusher.