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Reported tension within Patriots prompts QB pick in latest mock draft

By Sara Marshall

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators warms up before the start of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 25: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators warms up before the start of a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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The drama within the Patriots organization over the years appears to be never-ending, at least according to the media and their “sources.”

The first week of April has started with several news outlets speculating on the tense relationship between Bill Belichick and Mac Jones, which was allegedly fractured throughout the 2022 season. Although much of the struggles during the year could be pinned on several persons, the main issues appear to have brewed between the head coach and the quarterback, an unpleasant sign leading into the upcoming season.

Because of the presumed strain in the relationship between the two, NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein chose to go all-out in his latest mock draft, having the Patriots take a quarterback in the first round.

player. 47. Pick Analysis. Quarterback. Florida. Anthony Richardson. 14. Scouting Report

He specifically cites the latest news dump surrounding Belichick and Jones as the reason for the pick, indicating the quarterback would be dealt with before the draft.

"“There’s reportedly tension between Bill Belichick and Mac Jones. In this scenario, the Patriots look to deal Jones for a draft pick and choose to develop the dynamic but raw Richardson.”"

Besides the obvious reasons making this mock draft intriguing, Richardson has been touted as one of the top quarterback prospects in this year’s class who has been consistently taken in the top ten.

Of course, mock drafts are all educated guesses at best, making it possible for Richardson to fall to 14. But given the number of teams needing a quarterback ahead of the Patriots at pick 14, it seems implausible that he would be available to them without trading up.

If this scenario were to happen, the fallout within the Patriots’ organization would be fascinating to watch unfold. Robert Kraft has repeatedly publicly supported Jones as the QB1 in New England, even acknowledging last season’s setbacks as a reason to give him a fair chance in 2023.

So if Belichick were to trade Jones before the draft to take a quarterback, how would the relationship between owner and head coach stay afloat?

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