Weekly BOLD Predictions
1. Pats trade up for Justin Fields.
Several pieces need to fall into place for this to work. First, the Pats require a trade partner to accept a trade back to the 15th pick. Second, the Pats give up more than just the 15th. A potential trade sacrifices another first round or a few second rounders. Third, the Jets and the 49ers pass on Fields. The Niners would opt for Mac Jones or Trey Lance.
2. Suns top the West rankings in May.
Yes, THOSE Phoenix Suns, the perennial last place team in the West! If I predicted this last April, I would have been ridiculed. However, the 2020-21 Suns are no joke with Devin Booker and Chris Paul leading the charge. Deandre Ayton has not quite lived up to his full hype, but is developing his three-point game. At the Lakers (injuries) and Jazz’s (Mitchell’s absence) expense, the Suns have a clear path to the #1 spot.
3. Six QBs go in the 1st Round of the NFL draft.
Typically, the NFL draft has an inflation of QBs picked in the first round. Teams reach for quarterbacks who succeeded at Pro Days or fit their offense. It is a no-brainer that five QBs will be selected in the 2021 first round: Lawrence, Wilson, Fields, Lance, and Jones. But chances are a 6th QB could also go in the 1st. Two possible candidates are: Davis Mills, a high-rising quarterback from Stanford, and Kellen Mond, who, in my opinion, is a very underrated QB from Texas A&M. A team lacking a solid QB or even an aging one could take a swing on these guys.
LOL every new article has Justin Fields going to a different team. Adds to the drama of this year’s draft no doubt! In my opinion, I think he’s not necessarily the right attitude for someone who leads the team.
This year’s draft is so wide open it will be hard to foresee where Fields will land. If Field’s leadership is in question that may deter some teams for sure.
Teams are figuring out that to win in the postseason, they need a +quarterback. Not an RB, or a DE or a corner, but someone who can move the ball down the field. There are only a handful of guys in the entire world who can do that at the NFL level, and teams will go to desperate lengths to get one of those on their roster. The Patriots were reminded of that this season, in spades. Neither #1 or #3 above would be a surprise.
The Pats have been spoiled for years with TB12; they didn’t need to make good high draft picks. Now they need to hit on a player who can make an immediate impact on a position of need, which is QB.