What a Friday in the NFL.
According to multiple reports, the 49ers have traded with the Dolphins to move up to No. 3 overall in the NFL Draft. Miami then got back into the top 10 by swinging a deal with the Eagles for the No. 6 overall pick.
Naturally, most connected the 49ers moving to No. 3 overall as a sign they will target a quarterback and then look to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, which has been rumored for months — despite everything the organization has said.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the team has no plans to trade the veteran QB and a source added, “Jimmy is here to stay. He's our guy this year." That doesn’t exactly sound like a ringing endorsement for a 29-year-old who is signed through the 2022 season.
It almost feels like they are signaling their plan is to draft a rookie, have him sit behind Garoppolo this year, and then move on from the veteran after the season.
That's not a great spot for Garoppolo to be in, and it doesn’t mean the trade calls will stop coming in to John Lynch and Co. In fact, there probably will be even more following the trade.
So, while the 49ers say they are committed to Garoppolo, things could certainly change over the next month. And if they do indeed move on from him, the Patriots would certainly be at the top of the list of destinations for him to go.
Garoppolo has a no-trade clause, but it’s hard to imagine him not wanting to come back to New England and play for Bill Belichick, who clearly has a ton of affection for him. He would need to redo his contract, but that wouldn’t be too big of an issue as he would likely be signed beyond the 2022 season and his cap hits could be spread out.
Having a greater chance of landing Garoppolo is the positive for the Patriots in this massive trade, but there is also a negative relating to the quarterback position.
It seems less and less likely they will be getting a quarterback in the first round of the draft, unless they want to give up a massive amount to do so.
With the 49ers now selecting No. 3, it seems likely the first four picks of the draft will be quarterbacks and then it’s hard to see a fifth making it out of the top 10. In order for the Patriots to get a quarterback in the first round, they are going to need to trade up, and give up a great deal to do so.
San Francisco went from No. 12 to No. 3 and gave up the No. 12 pick, a 2021 third-round pick and two future first-round picks. And then Miami went from No. 12 to No. 6 by giving up No. 12, a future first-rounder and swapping third-round picks.
So, for the Patriots to get a QB in the first round they will need to part ways with their No. 15 pick, next year’s first-rounder and likely a little more. And that would be for the fifth quarterback to come off the board, which may not even be Mac Jones as NFL Media is reporting the 49ers could consider him at No. 3 overall.
It’s worth noting the Patriots could trade with Atlanta at No. 4 overall if the Falcons want to trade that pick, but then they would be looking at giving up a package similar to what Miami did and that doesn’t feel like something Belichick would do.
Relating to quarterbacks in the draft, Friday was not a good day for the Patriots.
In the end, it’s good news for the Patriots relating to Garoppolo potentially being traded, but bad news for the thought of selecting a quarterback in the first round of the draft.