Patriots Fans Shouldn't Like Mel Kiper's Projected First-Round Pick for Them
By Brady Williams
Folks, the New England Patriots need a signal caller to reignite some excitement back in the fan base. With Tom Brady out, the once-dynastic franchise is on uneven ground. The 2020 NFL Draft has a few promising replacements, but if Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft is to be believed, the guy they want to go with is a little worrisome.
Kiper has them selecting Utah State quarterback Jordan Love. The former Aggie was a stud in 2018 and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors, but he took a major step back in 2019. His passer rating fell from 158.3 to 129.1. The Patriots have relied on consistency for 20 years, and Love simply isn't consistent.
Mel Kiper projects the Patriots to draft Jordan Love to compete with Jarrett Stidham next season.https://t.co/LqT9sTX4sZ pic.twitter.com/xjdxIsLkos
— 247Sports (@247Sports) March 24, 2020
Jarrett Stidham isn't the ideal player to place New England's hopes and dreams on, but neither is Love. He threw for 20 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in 2019. That's not nearly efficient enough to warrant a first-round pick.
The Patriots need a long-term replacement for Tom Brady. @mackenziesalmon says it would make sense for New England to throw away the 2020 campaign for a chance to draft Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence. pic.twitter.com/DSHdt9ux7Q
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) March 23, 2020
Sometimes, if a prime player isn't available at the position you need, you have to cut your losses. The Patriots have been eviscerated on defense in free agency, and addressing those needs would be a far better option than rolling the dice on a so-so quarterback.