He’s going up to get fields who will be starting by the end of October and the offense will get markedly better with him in there.
I wouldn't hate it if he moved up to 7 to grab Fields. Based on the number of games he started AND the competition he played against,k to go along with his raw physical skills I would be very disappointed if he wasn't pressing Cam for his job mid season and being the presumptive starter by season 2. BUT the odds are that Fields is likely the SF pick so the matter will be moot.
Lance is by far the greatest risk reward pick we've seen in a long while. Even highly picked QB's fail, but so few have SO much risk associated to such a high pick. No would would be surprised if he didn't work out. But what would that end up costing you in the end. In every draft there are around 10- players who can be called "difference makers" from day one in a program. The fact that there is going to be 5 QB's likely to go in the first 10 picks, there is a CHANCE that one of these kinds of players is going to be there when the Pats pick at 15. When are they likely to get a chance like this again.
If one of the top LB's Edge guys or (dare I say) WR's are available there, they CANNONT pass on it. I'd add DLmen if there were any that fit in the category.
There ARE good and even great players that are there in the bottom 15 of the first round, but most of them can be lumped, talent wise) with everybody else that go in the 2nd and early 3rd rounds. From what I've read from the draft gurus, 15-75 get you players you expect to develop into starters within the first 3 years of their contracts. Of course that's not how it works out, but its what most teams EXPECT
For the last 20 years, with but one exception (Mayo) the Pats have been drafting from that 2nd level of player every April. And given our FA haul so far and the prospect of further improving the roster, I would expect THIS team to be at least good enough that we won't be drafting in the top 15 any time soon (even with Cam)
So I have to tell you, I'd have a really hard time pulling the trigger on anyone other than an DE. LB, or WR. I would hate it if we trade down almost as much as I would hate to trade up. Even if Lance winds up with us at 15, ('d be very wary of having high expectations of him.