The 2021 NFL Draft is days away and all the speculation will finally be put to an end.
Bill Belichick’s staff has been thoroughly scouting the top 5 quarterbacks available and the New England Patriots need a signal-caller for the future. With Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson out of the picture, the options come down to Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the San Francisco 49ers are between Jones and Lance with the No. 3 pick. There’s multiple teams reportedly willing to trade down who have top-10 picks and it could still leave one of these premier quarterbacks on the table.
The Patriots have the No. 15 pick and are making calls with teams in the top 10 to snag Fields, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Several teams have been making calls about getting into the top 10 of next week’s NFL Draft — including the #Patriots, who could have their eyes on Ohio State QB Justin Fields if he begins to slide. @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/GjJazJXZQp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 26, 2021
Pelissero believes the Patriots could trade a second-round pick to the Detroit Lions (No. 7) or Carolina Panthers (No. 8). The Denver Broncos sit at No. 9 and need a quarterback, so the Patriots would likely have to surpass them.
During Fields’ two seasons at Ohio State, he threw for 5,373 and 63 touchdowns with only nine interceptions. He also has a 4.46 40-yard dash that led to 867 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns over that span. Fields showed his grit last season during the College Football Playoff while overcoming a rib injury and having a stellar performance against Clemson.
A lot of of moving pieces will be in place during the draft this year, but the Patriots’ main priority appears to be at quarterback.
