With 12 selections in the 2019 NFL Draft and six in the first three rounds, chances are strong the New England Patriots will take a quarterback for the second consecutive year whether you like it or not.
Drafting a quarterback reminds Patriots fans that Tom Brady might not actually be immortal. They don’t like that. But the Patriots took a quarterback in the top three rounds of the draft in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2016. So, in some ways, they’re due to use another high pick on a quarterback.
Leading up to the draft, which runs from April 25-27, we’ll go position by position and draft a player who fits the Patriots in each round. We’re kicking it off with quarterbacks.
FIRST ROUND
Picks: No. 32
Daniel Jones, Duke
This seems unlikely for a couple of reasons. One of which is Jones very well could be gone by the time the Patriots are picking 32nd overall. I don’t personally feel Jones is worth trading up in the draft to acquire, though the Patriots might disagree.
Jones has prototypical height at 6-foot-5, but he doesn’t have standout traits on the field. The Patriots could get similar value with shorter players in later rounds. They reportedly hosted Jones on a visit last week.
SECOND ROUND
Picks: Nos. 56, 64
Ryan Finley, North Carolina State
Finley is considered one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the draft. He’s slight at just 213 pounds, and he doesn’t have the strongest arm. He threw 55 mph at the NFL Scouting Combine. But accuracy is hard to improve, and Finley’s arm strength could increase with some good old-fashioned NFL training.
The Patriots drafted a quarterback from NC State in 2016, when they grabbed Jacoby Brissett.
THIRD ROUND
Picks: Nos. 73, 97, 101
Will Grier, West Virginia
Grier also is on the slimmer side at 217 pounds. He’s just 6-foot-2, but the Patriots haven’t seemed to mind selecting quarterbacks with below-average height in the past. He led all quarterbacks in velocity, throwing 59 mph at the combine. He also threw with accuracy downfield at the college level, per Pro Football Focus‘ metrics. His biggest issue is maintaining his pose under pressure.
The Patriots reportedly hosted Grier on a visit last week.
FOURTH ROUND
Picks: No. 134
Tyree Jackson, Buffalo
Jackson is a project, but he has an unbelievable combination of size (6-foot-7, 249 pounds) and athleticism (4.59-second 40-yard dash). His accuracy numbers were a mess in college, but he also threw 14.3 yards downfield per target, ranking second in that metric among draft-eligible quarterbacks. Mix in some shorter passes, and those completion rates might start to rise.
FIFTH ROUND
Picks: None
Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
Stidham isn’t a favorite of PFF, but he’s getting some hype with less than two weeks remaining until the draft. He showed poise under pressure and had decent accuracy metrics. He fits the Patriots based on his measurables outside of his 7.28-second three-cone time. (Even Brady ran a 7.20-second 3-cone.)
SIXTH ROUND
Picks: No. 205
Brett Rypien, Boise State
Rypien is way undersized at under 6-foot-2 and just 210 pounds. He also threw 59 mph at the combine, and he was among the most accurate passers in college football last season. He actually beat out Finley for the Boise State job, forcing Finley to transfer.
SEVENTH ROUND
Picks: Nos. 243, 246, 252
Easton Stick, North Dakota State
Stick is also undersized at 6-foot-1, and he threw just 53 mph, but he was one of the best deep passers in college football last season, per PFF. His agility metrics stacked up with top wide receivers. There’s just something about him we like.
For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, go to ProFootballFocus.com.
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