Patriots: Here’s why Raiders’ asking price for Derek Carr shouldn’t concern Bill Belichick

Compared to some of the AFC heavyweights, the New England Patriots are significantly behind the eight ball as far as roster construction is concerned, and fans will be expecting them to undergo some serious renovations this offseason.

We would all agree that the Patriots’ greatest need is at quarterback after it’s apparent Cam Newton likely won’t be returning following a lackluster campaign under center, leaving them with the option of choosing between the draft, free agency, or trade market to address the vacancy.

This ongoing debate has really divided fans, who are largely torn between drafting a top prospect in the first round or trading for an established veteran. Amid the Raiders’ reported interest in Deshaun Watson, current starter Derek Carr has been mentioned as somebody who could be on the move if a deal comes to light.

However, the Raiders’ reported asking price — two first-round draft picks — has really dissuaded analysts from wanting the Patriots to formulate such a trade. That’s a valid argument, but here’s why it shouldn’t concern general manager Bill Belichick.

Las Vegas’ asking price for Derek Carr shouldn’t faze the Patriots.

Objectively speaking, Belichick has been incredibly wasteful with first-round picks in recent years, whiffing on arguably three — wideout N’Keal Harry, defensive tackle Malcolm Brown and left tackle Isaiah Wynn — of his last four selections in that round.

The jury is obviously still out on Harry and Wynn since they’re only two and three years into their respective careers, but nobody would deny that they’ve been disappointing since they entered the league as the No. 23 and No. 32 overall selections in 2018 and 2019.

When you consider that Damien Harris has put a stranglehold on the starting running back job, you could even make the case that Sony Michel was the wrong pick at No. 31 overall three years ago. Not to mention that his Georgia teammate Nick Chubb, who’s established himself as a clear cut top-five RB in the game, was drafted four picks later by the Browns.

With all of this in mind, the Patriots unloading two first-rounders would hardly hurt them if they managed to retain their ammo in the middle and later rounds, where Belichick has struck gold in recent years with selections like Harris (third), cornerback Joejuan Williams (second), and offensive linemen Joe Thuney (third), and Michael Onwenu (sixth).

You could argue all day whether Carr is worth two firsts (he probably isn’t), but Belichick’s reckless first round resume proves that his price tag shouldn’t faze him or the rest of front office for that matter.

The smart move might be to wait and see if his price comes down, but by then it could be too late. After all, Matthew Stafford — a player on a similar talent level to Carr — was acquired for two first-rounders, a former No. 1 overall pick in Jared Goff, and a third-rounder not too long after he demanded a trade from the Lions.

As soon as these rumors start heating up, a trade tends to come to fruition, so it would behoove the Patriots not to spend time feeling sorry for themselves that the Raiders’ evaluation of Carr didn’t come close to aligning with their own.

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