We’re in the final week of NFL Draft rumor season, and Friday produced a juicy morsel involving the Patriots.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on the “Move the Sticks” podcast that there’s “a little buzz” around the league that New England is “doing a lot of homework” on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask.
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Jeremiah’s statement tracks with the Pats having shown interest in Trask. NESN.com reported that Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels scouted Trask at Florida’s pro day.
New England does not have a clear long-term option at the position. Last year’s starter, Cam Newton, is signed only through 2021 and 2019 draft pick Jarrett Stidham has not shown much in limited action. The Pats are rumored to have discussed a trade with the 49ers for former New England backup Jimmy Garoppolo. San Francisco has traded up to third overall in the 2021 draft, a signal that the team is looking to draft a QB to succeed Garoppolo.
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Trask, 23, finished fourth in the 2020 Heisman Trophy vote as he led the Gators to the SEC championship game, where Florida lost 52-46 to eventual national champion Alabama. He put up huge numbers as a senior: 4,283 yards (9.8 per attempt) and 43 touchdowns to just eight interceptions in 12 games.
He did, however, benefit from being able to throw to first-round talents Kyle Pitts and Kadarius Toney.
SN’s Vinnie Iyer is bullish on Trask’s draft position, but he has Trask going to Washington in the second round of his newest seven-round NFL Mock Draft. He has the Patriots taking Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond in the fifth round.
SN’s Joe Rivera ranks Trask sixth among the top quarterback prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft.