Patriots could target this forgotten QB prospect from 2021 class

The New England Patriots will face a ton of pressure this offseason as it pertains to fixing their quarterback situation after Cam Newton proved unfit for the challenge. There were obviously underlying circumstances that contributed to his demise, for lack of a better term, but most fans would agree that his performance didn’t warrant another contract.

If the Patriots choose not to trade for a veteran, they could easily turn to the draft, which is littered with intriguing prospects. When it comes to drafting a QB, analysts have pointed to Alabama star Mac Jones as a potential option with the No. 15 overall pick.

Given his collegiate roots and that his intangibles align with what the team normally wants in a quarterback, it’s easy to see why Jones to the Patriots is gaining serious steam. However, we wouldn’t rule out the possibility of them targeting forgotten Georgia stud Jamie Newman, who opted out of 2020 due to concerns about playing amid the global pandemic.

Don’t sleep on Jamie Newman as a potential draft target for the Patriots.

Newman, who transferred from Wake Forest to Georgia but opted out before ever playing a snap for the Bulldogs, confirmed with the reporters that he had a formal meeting with the Patriots this week and spoke highly of the franchise. He also provided some context on his polarizing decision to sit out the 2020 season after his blockbuster move to Athens.

"“I met with them, had a great interview,” said Newman. “I was just being myself and they asked some really good questions. I like that organization a lot.“I got that all 32 interviews, ‘Why’d I opt out?’ It was just a collective thing of Covid that hit differently for me and my family. Unfortunately, I had a family member that was affected by Covid, so that’s what went into my decision.”"

Like most prospects who chose to opt out and focus on preparing or the draft, Newman’s stock has taken a hit and he is no longer viewed as a Day 1 selection. Given what he showcased over three years at Wake Forest, however, he could prove to be a steal in the middle rounds.

At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds, Newman’s built like an olympian and has the required athleticism to be successful in today’s NFL. There are questions about his mechanics and decisiveness, but that could be rectified with a little coaching. Who better to embrace that challenge than Bill Belichick?

As a junior in 2019, he completed 60.9% of his passes for 3,959 yards and 26 touchdowns to 11 interceptions — equating to a 145.3 passer rating. He added 574 yards and six scores with his legs, proving that he can take off and run in a collapsing pocket when his receivers are blanketed. Those numbers (and his imposing body frame) speak for themselves, folks.

We’re not saying that Newman to the Patriots is a lock, but while everybody is raving about Jones, keep the Georgia transfer in mind as a potential Day 2 option if the Alabama product is taken or the front office simply falls in love with another prospect at No. 15 overall.

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The Patriots have the potential to turn around instantly, as they have the No. 15 pick in the draft and the fourth-most cap space in the league.