long distance
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I also think one has to consider if the previous Brady back-ups were drafted as potential future franchise QBs like Jimmy was. Perhaps we can have some confidence that BB could find and develop a similar QB if used sufficient draft capital.
Great point. I was just going to post the same in the draft forum.
Its a different mindset if you're drafting insurance, back-up or your next starting QB esp. in BB drafting process. Of course you always hope you can coach them up to the highest level but BBs draft rules seem to be quite clear.
Acc. to Lombardi their grading system that they devised in CLE and brought to NE was not numerical but went IIRC: starter, potential starter, situational/rotational player, back-up. Caserio is now talking about numerical grades so maybe he changed things lately (still nobody is allowed to use round grades).
They drafted 9 QBs after Brady and I guess its safe to say most of them were tagged with back-up grade considering not only where they were picked but also situation in which they were picked. So “projecting“ success of Patriot's drafting and grooming their future QB would be better based on what they were able to do with Garoppolo than to the average success w their QB drafting history.
These are pure speculations of course but JG might be the only QB BB ever drafted with straight “starter“ tag (w possible exception of Mallet). They didn't have a need at QB when they drafted him and Lombardi says they were sure HOU would take him before them so when he fell they were excited to pull the trigger. Despite the no need situation Garoppolo is BBs highest QB pick.
According to Lombardi the Patriots rated Mallett as best QB available in 2011 draft yet they pulled the trigger only in the 3rd round and only with their 5th selection that yr (after six other QBs were selected beforehand). He didn't work out too good for anybody as a starter.
Pats enter next draft with QB as a pretty big need if they want to develop him under TB and possibly Josh. Id guess this time they will be willing to pull the trigger on their guy much faster. Id guess (and hope) they have “starter“ + “fit“ grade on one or two guys already and the mid-season trade was probably made also with this in mind. The fact they didn't invest it before deadline could suggest the same. They have the draft capital they didn't have for a long time. They can very much control the 2nd round and jump up if need be.
All this gives some reason for optimism. But they will need luck as well.
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ps
Brady of course was a separate story. He is no accidental hero for BB despite low selection. They were high on him unlike rest of the league just that they had overload at QB position already and plenty big holes across the roster . Here a good short reminder of how that really went:
How the Patriots landed future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, the biggest steal in NFL Draft history
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