NFL Draft rumors: Patriots, Panthers have talked first-round trade
The New England Patriots still need a long-term solution at quarterback and they’re prepared to make a move to address it in the 2021 NFL Draft, perhaps with the Panthers.
Sometimes, things in the NFL Draft just end up making sense. That’s not ubiquitous by any stretch of the imagination but there are times when some moves are too obvious for them not to happen. And that type of situation might be developing between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.
Amid reports that New England would be interested in trading into the top 10 for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and in the wake of Carolina trading for Sam Darnold and now looking to recoup some draft capital, a deal between the two parties would make sense. According to MMQB’s Albert Breer, that appears to be happening.
In his final mock draft, Breer noted that the Patriots are preparing for a trade into the top 10 in Fields falls. More pressingly, New England and the Panthers already have discussed the “groundwork” for a trade between the two franchises if Fields is on the board there.
A Patriots-Panthers trade in the 2021 NFL Draft makes sense for all involved
This move would ultimately behoove both New England and Carolina should it come to fruition — and it very well could. With the way the board is shaping up, the first three picks will be Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Trey Lance. After that, it seems as if the Falcons, Bengals, Dolphins and Lions all are zeroed-in on non-quarterbacks, meaning Fields would be on the board at No. 8 when the Panthers come on the clock.
While the Patriots may still believe in Cam Newton after bringing him back, they need a long-term solution. Fields could be that and he could thrive in a Josh McDaniels offense as well. In an offseason where they’ve not been gun-shy in making splashy moves, this would be another deal that fits that bill.
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As for Carolina, after giving up picks in the Darnold trade with a roster that’s incomplete, they would be wise to get some back and still stay in the first half of the first round in moving down while garnering more picks. In the end, this could be a win-win move and, if Fields indeed does slide, it would be a shock not to see this happen.