Patriots’ Invoice Belichick on not drafting QB: ‘It wasn’t by design

BOSTON — The Patriots didn’t discover a substitute for Tom Brady within the 2020 NFL Draft, if that was even potential.


However they did handle nearly each different considered one of their wants.


New England entered the draft with 12 picks and after making a number of trades over three days wound up deciding on 10 gamers.


Patriots coach Invoice Belichick acknowledged the staff made an try so as to add a 3rd quarterback, however it merely didn’t work out.


“The underside line is we’re evaluating the place together with all the opposite ones,” he stated. “If we really feel like we discover the appropriate state of affairs, we actually draft them. We’ve drafted them in a number of years in a number of factors within the draft. It didn’t work out the final three days. It wasn’t by design. It may have, however it didn’t.”


Belichick stated the Patriots would handle the place through the undrafted free agent market. J’Mar Smith of Louisiana Tech is a chance.


“We’ve talked to J’Mar, no query,” Belichick stated.


Bill Belichick
Invoice BelichickAP

For now, second-year participant Jarrett Stidham and former Brady backup Brian Hoyer stay the one quarterbacks on the roster.


“I like each these gamers,” Belichick stated. “I've confidence in each of them.”


New England made 4 picks on protection, which was hit laborious in free company by the departures of linebackers Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins and Elandon Roberts, security Duron Harmon and defensive deal with Danny Shelton.


The Patriots started by deciding on security Kyle Dugger from Division II Lenoir-Rhyne and added three linebackers with numerous talent units in Michigan’s John Uche, Alabama’s Anfernee Jennings and Wyoming’s Cassh Maluia.


The remaining picks had been used to focus on offensive wants, with three used to bolster the road.



The tight finish place fell off considerably final season following the retirement of Rob Gronkowski, who got here out of retirement earlier than the draft to rejoin Brady in Tampa Bay. New England hopes Devin Asiasi (UCLA) and Dalton Keene (Virginia Tech) can present a longer-term answer after Matt LaCosse, Ben Watson and Ryan Izzo mixed for 36 catches and two touchdowns final season.


The road will get some measurement with the choice of 340-pound guard Michael Onwenu (Michigan) and guard Justin Herron (Wake Forest) within the sixth spherical. New England additionally took Memphis heart Dustin Woodard within the seventh spherical with its remaining decide.


Woodward has an awesome shot to make the staff. He performed in each sport throughout his time at Memphis, together with 52 consecutive begins.


Ted Karras, New England’s starter at heart final season, left in free company.


David Andrews, who has began 57 video games since being drafted in 2015, says he is able to return after lacking final season with blood clots in his lungs. However it’s unclear how sturdy he might be.


Whereas questions stay at quarterback, the Patriots did determine the person they hope might be Stephen Gostkowski’s successor at kicker.


New England chosen Marshall’s Justin Rohrwasser within the fifth spherical (159th general), simply the third kicker drafted throughout Belichick’s tenure. The final kicker the Patriots drafted was Gostkowski within the fourth spherical in 2006. He made the 2010s All-Decade staff, is a two-time All-Professional and received three Tremendous Bowls with the Patriots. He was launched final month.



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