Trading a receiver on the last year of his contract with no extension in sight for a first round pick is one of those “Belichick did it again” type of moves.
Then when you really step back from it and see that the asking price for Odell Beckham Jr. is two first round picks you just want to facepalm at how the NFL could let this opportunity present itself. But there is one other opportunity that the Patriots can explore with their newly acquired first rounder. That would be finding their next quarterback (again).
At face value, the Patriots trading their first two picks for OBJ to create the ultimate fantasy team is a no-brainer, but we are talking about the NFL here, take nothing at face value.
Let’s go back just a couple of months ago when Jimmy Garoppolo was traded. It was definitely a weird trade when it happened, the 49ers were (more or less) handed their franchise quarterback. Then the normally tight-lipped Foxborough Triumvirate of Belichick, Tom Brady, and Robert Kraft leaked a whole bunch of nonsense.
The apparent strife between the three led to the ousting of the apparent heir at quarterback, much to the chagrin of the head coach. This Garoppolo-sized hole left behind may cause Belichick to think the time is right to find the next quarterback.
But with the Rams pick being 23rd overall, the Patriots are left in an awkward situation with quarterback prospects. This is especially true considering that there could be three quarterbacks taken to start the draft, moving many other quarterbacks up draft boards for teams in the middle of the first round still trying to find their franchise quarterback.
Considering the situation detailed above, is it at all out of the question that we see the Patriots move up to take Baker Mayfield or Lamar Jackson?
I honestly don’t see why they wouldn’t. It appears that, barring any moves by the Bills, one of the two would be available when the Bears pick at 8, the 49ers pick at 9, or the Raiders pick at 10. All three of those teams are set at QB and could benefit from acquiring more picks to take a bigger step this year towards capturing a Lombardi than anticipated.
What would really be at stake for the Patriots in giving up picks? Tom Brady is the LeBron James of the NFL.
You know before the season you will have to beat him in the conference championship if you are in the AFC to get to play in the big game. After 7 straight AFC title game appearances, and 8 straight 12 win seasons, I’m pretty sure it’s a foregone conclusion that they will be the team to beat again in the AFC. So what are two late first round picks to you then?
You have quite possibly the best scouting player development staff in the league, making this many winning seasons look easy with the carousel of replacement level players that suddenly play out of their mind once they reach Massachusetts. I mean, who the hell would have thought James White would be a Super Bowl touchdown machine?
Great organizations like the Patriots, like the Spurs, and like the Cardinals, put undervalued players in a position to be successful. It’s really uncanny.
Now obviously I want the Patriots to get Odell Beckham Jr. Even though I hate all things Boston, I can’t help but love how they would be the all-time heel team. OBJ and Gronk have more personality in their pinky toes than most NFL teams have in their entire roster, and watching them put on offensive clinics will be a pleasure to watch.
Oh, and watching the Eagles beat that team would be incredibly satisfying.
