Speaking of needing a quarterback, for the first time in 20 years the New England Patriots have a major void at the position. Tom Brady left town in free agency for Tampa Bay, and the current depth chart for the Pats includes the 34-year old Brian Hoyer and the second-year Jarrett Stidham.
It’s not in the Patriots DNA to move picks in the draft, especially when you consider they do not have a second round pick, but this is uncharted waters for Bill Belichick and company. In this scenario, Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa are both selected within the top five picks, leaving Justin Herbert as the next best option available.
The Los Angeles Chargers make a surprise move and draft Jordan Love and not Oregon star quarterback Justin Herbert with the sixth overall pick, throwing the draft into chaos. Feeling pressure to act quickly, with the Raiders are on the clock and with Herbert still without a team, the Patriots make the call to Mike Mayock to move up to pick 12.
The Raiders move the 12th overall pick to the Patriots for their 23rd overall pick, a third round selection in 2020, as well as the Pats second round pick in 2021.
The Patriots now have their new franchise quarterback in Herbert and the Raiders pick up another third round pick, giving them more draft capital should they want to package picks together to move into round two.