It’s happening again. The New England Patriots are going to win yet another transaction.
This time, trade winds are blowing again regarding backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that although Garoppolo is “expected” to be a Patriot next year, perhaps it could take two first-round picks for New England to trade the QB.
Then there’s this report from Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot:
Despite a report by ESPN that the Patriots won’t trade Jimmy Garoppolo, I’m told that nothing has changed and that teams — including the Browns — will still try to land him.
One source told me he believes it might take as much as a No. 1 this year and No. 1 next year — which I’m sure the Browns won’t be willing to do.
But if New England will accept their No. 12 overall pick and maybe another later selection, I think the Browns would strongly consider that.
The Patriots handled this situation absolutely perfectly (and would you expected anything less?).
They were able to show off Garoppolo’s skills while Tom Brady was suspended, saw a flawed quarterback class in this year’s NFL Draft and simply waited for Jimmy G’s price to keep rising. And just when it’s hit the “first rounder and another pick” hype? Suddenly there’s talk of a first-round pick this year and one next year.
We’ve written it a bunch and we’re sticking to it: Trading a first-rounder for Garoppolo is a bad idea. Even trading anything for Garoppolo is a risk. But for the Pats, the sky’s the limit.
They can keep driving up the price, simply by saying “We’re not trading him” and by reading the obvious tea leaves and seeing how desperate teams are for a QB — this is the same year in which there appears to be a bidding war on Mike Glennon.
The 12th overall pick would be a huge prize for Garoppolo. To get that selection and another one in this year’s draft? An epic win. And two first-rounders? It’s the equivalent of Scrooge McDuck jumping into a pool of gold coins.
Plus, there’s this: If it all falls apart and Garappolo sticks around, he could take over should Brady suddenly decide to retire or, as Garafolo pointed out, the Patriots can franchise the backup and trade him next year.
Only the Pats could find themselves in this situation and play it to absolute perfection.