As the NFL Draft draws closer there are two conversations regarding the Patriots: 1. Which quarterback are they going to take, and 2. Which player will be their first pick.
The team at WEEI and WEEI.com gives their best guesses, starting with the quarterback query:
Which QB do YOU think the Patriots will draft this year?
A post shared by WEEI (@weeisports) on Apr 23, 2020 at 9:46am PDT
And then there is the matter what will be done with that 23rd overall pick in the first round:
Nick 'Fitzy' Stevens: "Patriots are tempted to trade up with San Francisco at 13 if Tua Tagovailoa is still available, but he's likely long gone. And while it would be nice to see them move some capital and add some much needed elite offensive talent, the plan is to add depth across the board, on both sides of the ball, in a draft rich with talent from Rounds 2-4. Belichick loves him a bargain, a draft day trade and stockpiling picks. Therefore I'm calling for a trade: Patriots trade Pick 23 to the win-now Detroit Lions in exchange for Picks 35 and 67. A late first rounder turns into an early 2 and an early 3, giving Belichick the ammunition to bolster his ranks at Tight End, Linebacker, Wide Receiver, Safety and more."
Rich Keefe: "Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma. The Patriots will trade No. 23 overall and drop down into the 2nd round where they will draft their future QB. Hurts is the most mobile quarterback in the draft and will allow the Pats offense to look much different in the post-Brady Era."
Ryan Hannable: "LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma. While Patrick Queen from LSU is intriguing, Murray makes the most sense for New England's defense. Not only is Murray a tackling machine, totaling over 100 in each of his past two seasons, but he also had 17 for loss last year, showing he can make plays."
Scott McLaughlin: "Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma. When the Patriots have had to replenish their linebacking corps in the past, they've generally used a high pick to do it and it's worked out well for them -- think Jerod Mayo (first round, 2008), Dont'a Hightower (first round, 2012) and Jamie Collins (second round, 2013). With Collins, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts all departing in free agency and Hightower just turning 30, it feels like it's time to do it again. Murray is athletic, fast and smart. He's disruptive against the run, he can rush the passer, and he was a captain and team leader at Oklahoma. Sounds like a Belichick linebacker to me."
Christian Fauria: "Trade out of the first to get multiple picks (especially in the 2nd). Draft a TE."
Jim Hackett: "With so many holes to fill at multiple positions: TE, OL, WR, QB, DE, LB and Safety, I cannot see Bill Belichick moving up or standing pat at No. 23. Old habits die hard. Look for the familiar Patriots trade down scenario. With three 3rd round picks, no 2nd round pick and very little cap space the Patriots have far more use for cost-efficient positional tonnage than a 1st round pick and all of the long-term money commitments that come with it. I see them trading down into the 2nd round and likely making more moves to solidify the middle rounds of the draft (3-5). They have too many 6th round picks now as well. Hopeful 1st pick / 2nd round selection: Cole Kmet, TE Notre Dame. Likely 1st pick / 2nd round selection: Solomon Kindley, OL Georgia."
