For the sake of this post the Patriots don’t draft a QB in round 1 or 2 of the draft.
Mac Jones has been told he won’t be the starter next season but back-up number one. Zappe is a final cut.
Which free agent QB would help the Patriots win immediately?
There aren’t any great options but I think some of the QBs available will be Baker Mayfield, Jameis Winston, Ryan Tannehill or Jacoby Brissett. All have more arm power than Mac.
Let’s imagine Kirk Cousins returns to the Vikings which after last night’s loss I’m sure he does. I also don’t think Bill would sign a 35 QB returning from an achilles injury who would want more money than any of the other QBs mentioned.
I wonder if Bill would think he could win with Baker Mayfield? He is “only” getting paid $4 million this season by the Bucs on a one year deal. You know Bill loves a bargain and perhaps he could get Mayfield on a team friendly deal. Not as cheap as Cam Newton but still great value.
Baker already seems to have some chemistry with Mike Evans. I think it would be a successful off-season if we could sign both of them. Evans is a UFA and at 30 it seems the Bucs won’t offer him big money.
You spend your first round pick on Marvin Harrison Jr and your second round pick on the best available Left Tackle.
The rest of the draft fills wants and needs and the still huge amount of salary cap to fill can be spent on extending players already on the roster and any other free agents.
Would you be happy if we went into next season with Mayfield throwing to Mike Evans and MHjr behind a new LT and you had the rest of the receivers as 3rd-6th choice options?
If you don’t ride with Baker who would you sign as a FA and why?
I know you were clear about the defining the scenario, but I’m not in favor of short term fixes.
As tantalizing a player as Harrison Jr looks to be, I probably look to trade down 4-5 slots, where I can likely still get Alt, pick up 2nd or two 3rds and begin rebuilding this roster.
We’re much more than a tackle, a QB and WR away from being a real contender.