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After a period of aggressive free play, the New England Patriots are heading into the draft with few obvious needs on the roster. The biggest of them, however, occupies the most important position in the game: The Patriots don’t have a long-term contract solution to the quarterback position.
New England picking a passer in the first round next month wouldn’t come as a surprise, then. According to a recent analysis-based simulation project with a ‘win now’ approach by NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund, however, the Patriots would be better off looking elsewhere when they’re in 15th place:
15. New England Patriots
Jaylen waddle
Alabama WR Junior
Keep in mind that this is a simulation focused on maximizing wins next season, and Cam Newton is very valuable.
If the goal is to win now, adding a player like Waddle on the best quarterback still available in this particular sham – fellow Alabama prospect Mac Jones – makes sense. Despite his propensity to prepare, Jones (or most other quarterbacks) is not expected to start the first year, when Waddle could be an immediate impact player for an offense that did not have one in 2020.
Waddle, who ended his three-year career at Tuscaloosa with 106 catches for 1,999 yards and 17 touchdowns, has just had an injury-cut season, but he may still be the top wide receiver in this year’s draft. Adding a player of that caliber to the Patriots’ new offense would give the team’s offense another big play threat and a long-term WR1.
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