Peter King: Roger Goodell, NFL Should Give Patriots Their Draft Picks Back

One of the most prominent NFL media members is starting to warm up to the New England Patriots’ case in regards to Deflategate.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King used his newest Monday Morning Quarterback column to call on Roger Goodell and the NFL to restore the Patriots’ first- and fourth-round draft picks, which were taken from the club as punishment for the Deflategate allegations.

The story, titled “Why NFL Should Give Back Picks To Pats (But Won’t),” lays out a detailed explanation, insisting the Patriots’ punishment didn’t fit the alleged crime — assuming they even committed the crime in the first place.

“Based on the weight of the evidence from the past 13 months,” King writes, “and that weight being circumstantial and not convincing, there’s one conclusion I’ve reached entering the 2016 draft season: Roger Goodell needs to give back the picks.

“Whatever happens in the appeal of the case — which isn’t centered on the Patriots’ guilt or innocence but rather on a point of labor law in the judge’s decision — Goodell needs to realize he acted without nearly enough scientific evidence against the Patriots. The NFL has some significant circumstantial evidence in the case, the kind that should have prompted a strongly worded letter and $250,000 fine. Instead, Goodell killed an ant with a sledgehammer.”

King also adds that inconsistencies when it came to collecting PSI data during the 2015 season — the NFL only did random measurements — makes it more difficult to believe everything the league accused the Patriots of doing.

King also points to circumstantial evidence, claiming “there’s no smoking gun” when it comes to the allegations against the Patriots.

What took King this long to realize what many in New England have been saying for months is tough to say. But the fact King is speaking out against the league at any point is significant and the latest example of the NFL’s continued struggles in the court of public perception.

The problem for the Patriots, of course, is that court won’t be able to get them their draft picks back.