Despite major changes to the game, nfl history has a unique way of remaining relevant. For example, having a quarterback who can defend defenses in different ways (running and throwing) is now considered more important than the traditional pocket-passer. With the addition of more pocket-passing, athletic quarterbacks, the team that has the most success in the super bowl in the last five years has been the one with a quarterback who plays mistake-free football in the pocket.
For a rebuilding team like the new england patriots, finding the right balance between what college prospects come out as well as how championship teams are formed is a unique challenge. Should the pats choose to take jayden daniels (expected) as the best available quarterback despite the fact that he is more of an offensive weapon than a passer, or trade back and get the more traditional pocket throwers? When people realize that the patriots dynasty was won because they had the best pocket passer over any other team in football during the time, the question becomes even more difficult.
Times have certainly changed, and being able to win from the pocket isn’t the only thing you should do. The patriots have no playmakers on their offense and a weak offensive line. If the team does not make significant changes to the entire unit, any pocket-passing quarterback could be killed on sundays. Of course, a stumbling prospect like daniels could mask some of those fears. A sluggish offensive line could give the heisman trophy winner a chance to make plays with his legs rather than with his arm. On the other side of the argument, new england’s goal should not be to be competitive in a difficult tournament.
A team with six super bowls should always aim to win a seventh. Teams that select a pocket passer have a greater chance of hoisting the lombardi trophy than any other method. This year, there are plenty of athletic pocket passers in the draft. Jj mccarthy, michael penix jr., and bo nix are all athletic players who do the most damage inside the pocket. Although all three will be available at the third overall pick, the patriots would be foolish to draft any of them with that value.
