Mel Kiper predicts Patriots trade for quarterback in new mock draft

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Hayden bird, Boston.com Staff

February 25, 2021 | 9:46 am

The Celtics suffered a third straight loss on Wednesday, losing 127-112 to the Hawks. Boston now has two games under .500 at 15-17.

Also on Wednesday, the United States won the She Believes Cup with a 6-0 victory over Argentina. Massachusetts native Kristie Mewis got on the scoresheet with a quality finish:

And tonight the Bruins take on the Islanders at 7 p.m.

Mel Kiper’s latest simulation project: Although the NFL draft is still over two months away (it starts Thursday, April 29), speculation about it is already growing.

In his latest simulation project for ESPN, NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. projects a flurry of trades in the first round. Among them is a theoretical shock: Bill Belichick and the Patriots trade in the top 10 to select a quarterback.

New England have not picked the top 10 since Jerod Mayo was selected 10th overall in 2008, and Kiper believes the Patriots will trade for the ninth pick (currently held by the Broncos).

“Bill Belichick is best known for trading drafts, but the Patriots traded a few times on the second day of last year to get the guys they wanted in Josh Uche and Devin Asiasi,” Kiper wrote. “Don’t rule out a big move if Belichick & Co. wants to get their quarterback from the future.”

The projected terms of trade are the Patriots sending in the 15th pick (New England’s initial first-round placement), a second-round pick, and a 2022 (potentially a first-round pick according to Kiper).

With the ninth pick, the longtime draft analyst believes Belicick will be looking for his future quarterback.

Trey Lance, winner of the 2019 Walter Payton Award (awarded to the best FCS player), is considered by some to be the most intriguing prospect in the 2021 Draft. At 6ft 4in and with good speed, Lance also possesses great ability in as a passer (throwing 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions in 2019).

For Kiper, the New England trade reflects not only the team’s long-term need for a new quarterback, but also the short-term reality of the position’s off-season availability.

“The veteran QB trading market has shrunk,” Kiper noted. “I could see a Jimmy Garoppolo coming back to New England, but I’m not convinced he would be the long term answer. Lance could be. He’s only started 17 career college games – all against FCS competition – but he’s only 20 and has all the tools to be a great double-threat quarterback. Keep in mind that the Patriots also have a few returning players after their retirement last season, so they can fight in the AFC East again.

Trivia: Who was the last North Dakota State quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft?

(Answer below).

Hint: he’s no longer part of the team that drafted him.

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That day: In 1964, Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) defeated Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion at the age of 22. Ali entered the fight (held in Miami) as an underdog, but dominated most of the six rounds. Then, before the start of the seventh, Liston refused to answer the bell, and the sports world had a new champion.

Ali vs. Liston 1964 Boston Globe

Daily highlight: It’s been a good week for bike kicks, and Dele Alli continued in Tottenham’s 4-0 Europa League win over Wolfsberg on Wednesday.

Anecdotal answer: Carson Wentz

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