New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is expected to spearhead the team’s search for Tom Brady’s heir-apparent at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week. According to NESN.com, Belichick will attend the combine with other defensive coaches. However, Belichick will not be joined by offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and the rest of the Patriots’ offensive assistant coaches, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider. There’s no cause for alarm as Rapoport said it is standard operating procedure for the Patriots. Rapoport said the offensive coaches are focusing on several projects after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, 41-33, in Super Bowl LII.
McDaniels will have a chance to meet with rookie quarterbacks at pro days, visits and private workouts.
Patriots looking for understudy
The Patriots are expected to pick a quarterback at some point in the 2018 NFL Draft to serve as understudy and possible backup to Brady, who is expected to play until he’s 45 years old. Last season, the Patriots had two backup quarterbacks in Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett, but they were both traded to the San Francisco 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts, respectively. The Partitos got a 2018 second-round pick for Garoppolo, while Brissett was traded for wide receiver Philip Dorsett. Currently, the Patriots have Brian Hoyer as backup to the 40-year-old Brady.
Patriots have eye on 2 QBs
In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots will take 31st overall, 43rd, 63rd, 95th, 136th and 191st. According to multiple reports, the Patriots are eyeing two quarterbacks in the 2018 NFL Draft as possible heirs to Brady. Todd McShay of ESPN said the Patriots might pick Richmond's Kyle Lauletta, whose style of play is similar to Garoppolo, who is known as a dual-threat quarterback.
Now, Garoppolo is the starting quarterback of the 49ers, who signed him to a record five-year deal worth $137.5 million after leading them to five straight wins in the latter part of the season. Before he was traded, Garoppolo served as a backup to Brady for almost four years.
The Patriots could also take a closer look at Washington State's Luke Falk, who played four years of college football.
The 2018 NFL Draft features some outstanding quarterbacks in Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen, Mason Rudolph, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, but they might not be available at No. 31. Earlier, Mayfield expressed interest in learning under Brady.
