Patriots Rumors: Multiple meetings had with Lamar Jackson
Recent New England Patriots rumors involve 2018 NFL Draft prospect, Louisville quarterback, Lamar Jackson.
New England Patriots rumors have been running rampant in recent weeks as we approached the 2018 NFL Draft. Well, it is finally draft day. We will learn the truth to those Patriots rumors we have heard in recent weeks in the coming days.
A lot of the Patriots rumors involving the draft have revolved around the quarterback position. It is no secret that the Patriots need a long-term answer at quarterback. Tom Brady continues to defy logic, winning MVP in his age-40 season.
However, a long-term plan needs to be put in place. Right now, the only other quarterback on the roster for the Patriots is Brian Hoyer. At 32-years old, he isn’t a long-term answer either. Luckily for New England, there is a lot of quarterback talent in this year’s draft class.
The Patriots are probably not in a position to land one of the top prospects at the position. Sam Darnold, Josh Rosen, Josh Allen and Baker Mayfield could all go in the top-10, possibly top-five. New England won’t pick until No. 23 and No. 31 in the first round.
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That puts them in a good position. They can see how the board plays out and wait to pounce. If someone drops, New England has some draft assets to trade to move up. In addition to the multiple first rounds, they also have multiple second-round picks.
If recent Patriots rumors are to be believed, one quarterback to keep an eye on is Lamar Jackson of Louisville. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and Jenny Vrentas of Monday Morning Quarterback, the Patriots have held multiple meetings with Jackson throughout the draft process.
Rapoport shared that Jackson was one of New England’s top-30 pre-draft visits. That visit, while not initially reported, came over two weeks ago at Patriots headquarters.
Relatively quietly, the #Patriots hosted #Louisville QB Lamar Jackson on a Top 30 pre-draft visit, sources say. The visit, which took place 2 weeks ago, left the organization “intrigued and impressed” with Heisman Trophy winner. They may have the option at No. 23.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 23, 2018
In addition to the visit to New England, the Patriots also made another visit to Jackson in Florida. Vrentas shared that the Patriots held a workout with Jackson in South Florida, which offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was present at.
Vrentas also noted that Jackson marveled at seeing Bill Belichick laugh. Having Belichick and McDaniels at a workout outside of their headquarters could mean they are serious about their interest in Jackson.
A few notes from Dallas:
— Jenny Vrentas (@JennyVrentas) April 25, 2018
+Lamar Jackson visited w/Patriots 2x: private workout in S.Fla w/McDaniels plus visit to Foxborough
+He marveled at seeing Belichick laugh
+Rosen has been told he looks like a cross btwn Eli & A. Rodgers (yes)
+All players happy to be drafted anywhere
The interest in Jackson should not come as a surprise. New England was recently ranked as a good landing spot for Jackson, and for good reason.
New England would provide Jackson a chance to sit and develop for at least one season. Some development would be good for Jackson, who is raw in some areas but possesses other-worldly athleticism. He would also get to learn from one of the greatest ever to do it in Brady.
That athleticism is something almost any offensive coordinator would love to get their hands on. Imagine what an offensive mind such as McDaniels could do with a versatile player such as Jackson? The opportunities are endless.
New England will need some luck for Jackson to fall to them at No. 23. There are plenty of potentially quarterback-needy teams outside the top-10 such as the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills. Depending on how the board falls, the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens could also be in the market for a long-term option at quarterback.
Next: Full 2018 First Round NFL Mock Draft
You can be sure that Belichick and company will have a plan in place no matter how the draft board falls. The draft is one place the Patriots excel at, and they will look to do it again this year.