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Todd McShay’s mock draft after the regular season could represent the best-case scenario for the New England Patriots.
The Patriots own the No.15 pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft after finishing the 2020 season with a 7-9 record. They could use the selection on a quarterback – although you’d never know that with Bill Belichick – and McShay predicted Thursday on ESPN.com that New England would land arguably the second-best caller available: Justin Fields from the State of Ohio.
McShay projects that Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence will go No.1 overall for the Jacksonville Jaguars, which is a no-brainer. It has been speculated that Fields could reach No.2 in the New York Jets, but McShay believes they will stick with their incumbent, Sam Darnold, and build around him with their choice stock and salary cap.
Of course, it’s important to note that McShay’s stunt draft doesn’t include trades, otherwise Fields would likely leave the board earlier than No.15. But McShay currently has BYU quarterback Zach Wilson slightly ahead. on Fields on his first evaluation, marking Wilson to go No. 4 overall for the Atlanta Falcons.
Here’s what McShay wrote about Fields sliding to New England at No.15, a storyline that seems far-fetched but would answer the Patriots biggest question since Tom Brady left to join the Tampa Buccaneers. Bay:
OK, it’s about time. And what a great result that would be for coach Bill Belichick. Fields fell to # 15 here because we don’t do trades in this dummy. He’s unlikely to make it that far on the board, especially after his six touchdown performance in the Sugar Bowl allayed some big game concerns. Someone will come and get him.
But what a great Fields Cup is doing in New England. The Patriots tied the Giants for the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL this season with 12, and New England joined the Broncos as the only teams with more interceptions thrown than touchdowns (14). Cam Newton, who has been largely ineffective this season, will turn 32 in May and is expected to become a free agent again. Jarrett Stidham doesn’t appear to be the guy either. Tom Brady no longer walks through that door, and it’s another time for the Patriots’ fleeting attack. Fields would change that, with a lot of zip on his vertical planes and an ability to create when the going goes.
If the Patriots want the Fields, they will likely have to trade. The Jets could even buy the No.2 pick if they are sold on Darnold and another team falls in love with Fields during the pre-draft process, ultimately leaving New England on the outside.
But it’s a fun scenario to consider nonetheless, as Fields is a legitimate quarterback with a high cap. It would instantly inject energy into an organization that needs it now.
For what it’s worth, McShay planned five quarterbacks to take in the first round, with North Dakota State’s Trey Lance (19th on the Washington football team) and Mac Jones of Alabama (21st on the Colts of Indianapolis) joining Lawrence, Wilson. and fields.
Thumbnail photo via Chuck Cook / USA TODAY Sports Images
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