Pats believed to be targeting QB Fields in draft pick trade
According to the NFL Network, the Patriots have had exploratory trade talks with teams in the top 10 of the draft.
According to those teams, the Pats are hoping to move up to draft Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.
"The Patriots have been calling around in the top 10," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday, "and teams that have gotten those calls believe that their target would be Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields."
Fields is arguably the most accurate quarterback in this year's class, having completed 69.9% of his passes for 2,098 yards, 22 touchdowns and six picks last season. In his second year as a starter, Fields led the Buckeyes to the national title game and a Big Ten championship. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, he possesses elite physical tools, running a 4.4 at his Pro Day, and a cannon for an arm.
Rumors of Fields' potential slide began once it was reported the 49ers are targeting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the No. 3 overall pick. San Francisco is now believed to be choosing between Jones and North Dakota State's Trey Lance. If Fields falls, the Patriots' most likely trade partners are Detroit and Carolina, who owns the seventh and eighth overall picks, respectively.
The Pats own the No. 15 pick and a second-rounder at 46th overall. It's expected those picks should vault them into the top 10, though the asking price could jump depending on other trade offers the Lions and/or Panthers are fielding. The NFL Draft will open Thursday night at 8 p.m.