It’s no secret that people around the NFL think highly of Jimmy Garoppolo, but the level of respect the New England Patriots quarterback already has might surprise you.
“Bill (Belichick) thinks he’s got the next great one,” an anonymous AFC scout told Giardi. “I watched his snaps. I think he can be that. (Garoppolo) has a great base, and his mechanics are close enough to (Tom Brady) that you appreciate his willingness to learn, and the coaching he’s gotten there.”
Given Garoppolo’s obvious talent, it’s still a surprise to many that he slipped to the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. But just because he was the 62nd overall pick, doesn’t mean there weren’t people who thought he deserved to be selected higher.
“I absolutely loved the kid coming out of college,” another AFC scout told Giardi. “When we interviewed him, (it was obvious) he’s got those qualities you want in a QB, as a leader. I begged our guys to take him at the end of the first round. That’s how good I thought he was then. He’s a hell of a lot better now.”
Despite how good Garoppolo is, many still feel the Patriots would be wise to trade him as Brady shows no signs of slowing down. So why haven’t they?
“He’s the player one snap away,” according to an NFC scout. “Weigh that against the third guy (Jacoby Brissett) or some (veteran), and maybe it was just too wide a gap to risk it.”
Ask 100 people what the Patriots should do with Garoppolo and you’ll probably get 100 different answers. There doesn’t seem to be any debate, though, on just how good the 25-year-old is.
Click to read the full Garloppolo story >>
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
