Well, the draft is upon us and, like everyone, I have watched, read and heard a great deal. I'm going to make one pre-draft prediction (not about the Patriots, that's a fool's game) but about our competitors, the 49ers.
A while back on this thread I shared some thoughts about how the Pats should address their quarterback issue. I had seen two backup quarterbacks whom I thought looked like they would, at least, be worth signing as part of a competition: Josh Rosen and Nate Sudfeld. Well, guess where both of them are now? It's clear that the 49ers and I are in sync!
But what I'm going to say doesn't depend on my Vulcan mind-meld with Shanahan and Lynch.
I cannot see them taking Mac Jones.
Let's say they were really keen on Mac Jones. When they made their trade with the Dolphins people were talking about Jones as, at best, in the bottom of the first round, and the discussion was whether the Pats should jump in at 15. The 49ers paid a ransom for that number 3 slot. They didn't have to do that if they wanted a player who was ranked as the number 5 quarterback -- and a way behind the other 4. They could have just lain in the weeds and not even indicated that they were in the quarterback hunt. Or they could have traded to 6 with the Eagles and saved themselves a first-rounder.
So it's Fields or Lance. And my bet is it's Lance. He's the one who looks as though he could be a generational player like Rogers or Mahomes, the sort of player that makes coaches go "Wow!" enough to give up on a decent quarterback and pay three first-rounders. (And, for what it's worth, I think they'd be making a good bet.)
I'll be back tomorrow to eat crow if I'm wrong.