It’s time to see if Tom Brady handles a succession plan better than Aaron Rodgers.
And one was better than little Tom Brady.
After being called five quarterbacks in the first 15 picks of the 2021 NFL Draft on Thursday night, the next round did not come until the last pick of the second round on Friday, when Brady’s Buccaneers selected Florida’s Kyle Truss. Trask was the first of three quarterbacks in a four-pick span, as the Vikings followed up with Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond and the Texans caught Stanford’s Davis Mill.
“One of the great players that I saw, I had a chance to learn … It’s really remarkable,” said Hessam Trophy finalist, Truss, about playing behind Brady. “I am awaiting the amount of knowledge that I can absorb from being in the same room as him.”
It’s too soon to know how Brady will react, but that’s not when the Patriots drafted Jimmy Garpolo behind him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Brady, 43, is coming off his seventh Super Bowl win, but he’s entertaining the idea of ​​retirement at least some time – seven years ago or even in 2017, when conspiracy theories suggest he has played for the Patriots. Was forced to trade Garpolo for the 49s. The Buccaneers are also bringing back all 22 starting and other major offensive weapons and were in position to lift the truss and swing and let him sit until Brady wants to move around.
Brady just signed a contract extension that would pay him $ 41 million in 2021.
“As long as Tom wants to play, Tom starts playing,” said general manager Jason Licht, who informs Brady that the quarterback is in play, but there is no indication of starting the clock on his retirement. “He has earned the right.”
It is also not apples to apples with roaders who reportedly do not want to return to the Packers. The dissolution of that marriage began when the Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love in the first round in 2020 instead of an offensive playwright.
Does the quarterback have to be drafted under smart strategy in the second, third or fourth round? This is up for debate. Ask six people inside the NFL to rank Tresk, Mond and Mills and the election will potentially return six different answers.
Between 2013 (after Russell Wilson was stolen as a third rounder by the Seahawks) and 2020, seven quarterbacks were drafted in the second round, nine were selected in the third round and 16 in the fourth round. Of those 32:
- Only two (Derek Carr and Dak Prescott) are pro bowlers.
- Three others (Jimmy Garapolo, Jalan Hurts and Drew Locke) have starting jobs to enter this season.
- Three others (Geno Smith, Mike Glennon and Jacoby Brissett) are former startups now roaming as backups.
- Twelve never started.
- Last season, nine were out of the NFL.
- And one (Logan Thomas) is a successful tight end.
In this era of impatience, a strong argument can be made that using a Day 2 draft pick at quarterback is worthless when rotational pass-rushers, sub-package defensive backs and gadget wide receivers can make an immediate impact. Also count the fourth round as a fool’s gold.
“The clubs are trying to find the man,” former NFL general manager Mark Dominic said on a conference call last week. “So, mid-rounders are probably you with a bit more reach because if you attack gold – or strike silver – you’re going to feel great about your depth chart and your football for four. Years are betting on the team. “
Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf believed in drafting a quarterback every year and his philosophy was adopted by other teams. The Eagles wanted to be a “quarterback factory”, but were ruining Carson Wentz’s confidence.
Here’s an alternative theory: A high pick’s investment must come with the understanding that he will get the first shot to replace the aging veteran. If not, why bother?
The Giants (three times), Jets and Patriots are some recent examples of wasting mid-round picks at quarterback before turning for the first round. Soon the Steelers will join the list.
Two former NFL quarterbacks – NBC Sports analyst Chris Sims and trainer JT O’Sullivan – believe that Mond should have been the top five quarterbacks in this year’s class. Fits on Mills, TX, who face uncertainty around Countryside Watson’s legal status and business demands.
“I’ve seen players evolve to quality No. 2,” said Dominic, an analyst for SirixXM. “Talent has kept its roof from exploding.”
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