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| Florida Gators QB Kyle Trask taking a snap at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Credit floridagators.com) |
The New England Patriots are still looking for someone to replace the greatest QB of all time. Pats HC and GM Bill Belichick has a very big decision on his hands.
I believe every QB in the league would need not just WR Julian Edelman back, but also another addition at the TE and WR position. That combined with the return of LB Dont'a Hightower, DB Patrick Chung, and a few other 2020 COVID opt-outs and the Pats aren't as far away as you think.
If I had the keys to Gillette Stadium, these would be the choices at the top of my list:
Kyle Trask - University of Florida
Likely form of acquisition: Late 1st round/Early 2nd round of 2021 NFL Draft
Florida Gators QB Kyle Trask led the nation with 43 Pass TD this season. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide QB Mac Jones was a close second, but he had 2020 Heisman Winner DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, along with TWO extra games. When it comes to competition, playing in the SEC is no joke. The Gators' only regular season losses this year came to the #6 Texas A&M Aggies and the reigning National Champion LSU Tigers, both by just a field goal. Trask threw for 312yd and 4 TD with 0 INT against the Aggies and 474yd with 4 total TD and 2 INT against the Tigers.
Trask also put up 408yd along with 4 total TD and 0 INT in a one-possession loss to #1 Alabama in the SEC title game.
Although his Cotton Bowl performance was apotentially draft-altering when you read what the analysts are saying, I think the NFL front offices will give him a pass because they know he was missing a few of his friends:
Notable Gators Cotton Bowl Inactives (includes 2020 Stats from floridagators.com)
TE Kyle Pitts: 12 TD 96yd/gm (opt-out)
WR Kadarious Toney: 10 TD 89yd/gm (opt-out)
WR Trevon Grimes: 9 TD 53yd/gm (opt-out)
WR Jacob Copeland: 3 TD 39yd/gm (COVID)
These 4 pass catchers were Trasks best performers of the season.
Trask is a guy known for doing "more with less." Obviously Pitts is a highly sought-after prospect, but the rest of these targets do not compare to Alabama's Smith or Waddle. Taking away his top 4 targets, though? That shouldn't be a reason for his stock to fall.
During Trask’s junior campaign against #1 LSU he threw for 310yd and 3 TD. Quite the performance for a matchup with Joe Burrow, one of the best QBs in college football history (not a hot take).
The Gators signal-caller was a question mark entering this year, but with his performances against some of the nation's best, I think he can be a great option for a team in search of a franchise QB. He does not rely on his legs (though he can use them), he makes great throws under pressure, and he hangs in with the best of them. So many QBs entering the draft need their legs, but Trask would still be good if he wasn't as fast, which is a plus in the "longevity-potential" column. He also knows how to protect the football very well, despite what you saw when he was trying to win the Cotton Bowl without his top 4 targets.
Back in December, former Patriots QB and current New England Patriots color analyst for 98.5 The Sports Hub Scott Zolak said on his midday show, Zolak and Bertrand, that he likes how Trask fits the ball into tight windows and how he does "more with less" than other QB prospects had to work with.
It doesn't help that an ankle injury is keeping him out of the Senior Bowl, but scouts have seen plenty. With the Pats currently picking 15th overall in the 1st round and their 2nd round slot being at 46th overall, look for them to make a move to grab Trask somewhere in between if he is their guy.
I personally think it is too risky to slide too far down in the 1st round because a team like Pittsburgh or New Orleans could grab him, but I won't dive that deep.
Even if the Pats don't get him, I am confident Trask is being slept on in many mock drafts and, if given the opportunity, will have a successful NFL career.
Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions
Update: this was written prior to Stafford being acquired by LAR
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero was the first to report that the Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford have mutually agreed to part ways.
Let's face it, the Pats missed several years of opportunities to acquire a number of multiple worthy QBs to lead their franchise. Unless they trade up for Trevor Lawrence or are willing to pay ~$30M a free agent, Stafford, Trask, and the others on this list are what's available. That's not such a bad thing, though. Obviously Tom Brady isn't walking through that door, but for the Pats to win some games in January and contend, he might not have to.
If Belichick can go 7-9 with Cam Newton, less than half a season of Julian Edelman, and crucial defensive opt-outs, then I can't wait to see what he can do with any QB on this list.
Stafford's stats contain a lot of garbage time scores, but besides his connections with former Lion Calvin Johnson, he hasn't had much to work with since being selected 1st overall in 2009 out of Georgia.
The former Bulldog averages over 27 TD and a yard short of 4,400 over 16 games. With Belichick, McDaniels and an addition at the WR and/or TE position, which any QB on this list would need, Stafford could be a solid option for more than a couple years. That’s why the media is speculating how many teams could or should be interested in him, his career projects to last longer than you might think.
Jimmy Garoppolo - San Francisco 49ers
Likely form of acquisition: via Trade unless SF cuts him
San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo is in rumors everywhere! After ESPN's Adam Schefter tweeted that he WOULD NOT be traded in 2017, he was. The 49ers signed him to a record contract before he played a full season and he's basically played in as many games as he's been hurt. He has as many NFC titles as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Want another wild storyline that you already know? He was drafted by the Patriots!
I refuse to believe he is just a game manager. We have seen him start 1 full season where 9ers HC Kyle Shanahan micromanaged him and they had a great run game. Can I counter someone calling him injury-prone? No. But if he was so sought after that he almost took TOM BRADY'S JOB, why can't the Pats let him take a turn driving the car for a little bit?
Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons
Likely form of acquisition:: via Trade in '21 OR '22 offseason
To start off, I understand this isn't exactly the long-term situation everyone hopes for. I was originally going to list this in the unrealistic options because Ryan signed a 5yr/$150M contract that won't make him a UFA until 2024. That being said, the Falcons signal-caller is an interesting case because Atlanta is trying to rebuild. They have a new HC and have been going down hill since blowing a 25-point lead in Super Bowl LI.
If the 2008 3rd overall pick were to be traded this offseason, it would cost Atlanta A LOT financially, but it wouldn't be as bad the next year. If Belichick wants to stay with Newton or Stidham for '21, then bring the former BC Eagle back home to end his career and make a few playoff pushes, it could give the Patriots a few flexible drafts to find their QB of the future.
Ideal Unlikely Scenarios
- DeShaun Watson - Houston Texans
- I will be shocked if the league lets Texans GM Nick Caserio, who spent basically this whole century with the Pats, trade arguably the NFL’s best QB back to his old boss.
- Trevor Lawrence - University of Clemson
Other Improvements (in no particular order)
Drew Brees
Justin FIelds
Gardner Minshew
Derek Carr (Update: Reports have said Carr will stay in LV)
Tyrod Taylor (Update: Signed w/ HOU)
Taylor Heinicke (Update: Signed 2yr deal w/ WSH)
Mac Jones
Jacoby Brissett
Teddy Bridgewater (Update: Traded to DEN)
Marcus Mariota
Dak Prescott (Update: Signed 4yr deal w/ DAL)