Patriots: 3 NFL Draft rumors that should worry Bill Belichick
By Mike Luciano
The New England Patriots are just days away from finally making their top selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
They possess their highest pick since 2008 and reportedly plan to be “aggressive.”
Unfortunately, despite the fact that this draft process has again been curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Patriots are being besieged by rumors that some of their favorite targets could end up just out of their grasp.
With the NFC wide open and the AFC looking to get even stronger in order to knock off some of the big boys, there will be plenty of fireworks on Thursday night.
The Patriots could stay at 15 and either give Cam Newton a new skill position player to support him or beef up their front seven, but they might risk seeing their top targets fly off of the board with this mindset.
With the potential to trade up still very much in the cards, New England is a complete wild card. With their draft plan still in flux, one of these three trades involving other teams could send New England completely spiraling off of its axis.
These 3 draft rumors are bad for the Patriots.
3. Dolphins, Broncos talking trade
Broncos GM George Paton, who worked with Dolphins GM Chris Grier when the two were together in Miami, has reportedly been talking on the phone to Grier lately. It remains unclear what the calls were about, but if Miami trades down and gives Denver their No. 6 pick, the Patriots’ potential plan of trading up to No. 8 to draft a QB could be foiled.
There’s been chatter of the Pats moving into the top 10, and the Carolina Panthers are reportedly dangling their selection.
The Patriots would hate it if the Dolphins traded down … or up!
And don’t forget, the Dolphins have the No. 18 pick. Maybe they’re willing to part with more assets in a deal with the Broncos to move up to No. 9 and secure two top-10 picks?
If the Dolphins move up, that means yet another top skill position player or defensive star that would’ve fit perfectly in New England would end up going to a division rival in Miami. If they move down from No. 6, that means Denver will likely be eyeing a quarterback, ending New England’s chances of finding a successor whether they move up or stay put. Not great!
The Patriots are normally not a team that likes to trade up, often choosing to lean on their ability to accumulate talent by stockpiling picks. They might need to switch things up if they want to avoid a team like the Dolphins getting even stronger, however, as they hold the potential to steal either top perimeter talent away from New England or give Denver the chance to pick their QB.