Would the Patriots be willing to trade down for the right package? Plus, notes on Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy and New England's top defenders.
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1. What's in the 'bag'?
...the "pipe dream" for the Patriots, per Spielman, would be the Vikings trading receiver
Justin Jefferson as part of a package that includes multiple first-round picks. Or maybe starting left tackle
Christian Darrisaw.
Receiver and left tackle are two of the Patriots' top needs, alongside quarterback, and the latter is why former Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik (2009-13) isn't sure any trade -- other than a blockbuster in the pipe dream category -- would be worth it for New England.
"It depends on what you really think of the quarterbacks that you have a chance to select. Because if you feel
Jayden Daniels,
Drake Maye or
J.J. McCarthy is the guy -- having three 1s or the right quarterback, I'd rather have the right quarterback," said Dominik, now a Sirius XM NFL and college football analyst.
"The reality is that you have to find that position. Especially where the Patriots are sitting right now -- with Tua [Tagovailoa], Aaron [Rodgers] and Josh [Allen]; wow, that's going to be an uphill battle in the division. So that being said, I just don't think it's a bag you can open -- unless you just don't like these [top] quarterbacks."
2. J.J. in mix: Dominik has studied the quarterbacks and sees a more significant gap from McCarthy to Washington's
Michael Penix Jr. than he does from Daniels and Maye to McCarthy. That's why he includes McCarthy in the conversation alongside Daniels and Maye near the top of the draft.
"He's been in a pro system and he's handled all the different things you have to, and he's done what he's supposed to do. One thing that really stands out is he doesn't turn the ball over," he said. "He's also been under tough coaching and responded, which I think that's a huge piece."