The New England Patriots’ 2020 NFL Draft class sent a few signals about their plans for the coming year and years.
They made 10 selections with a safety, a kicker, one inside linebacker, two outside linebackers, two tight ends, two guards and a center. New England invested its first three picks defense before addressing their glaring hole at tight end with a pair of third-round picks (and back-to-back selections). Coach and general manager Bill Belichick is clearly building for life without Tom Brady, and the Patriots will do so without investing in more quarterback or receiver talent (at least in the draft).
Here are eight quick-hit takeaways from New England’s draft class.
1. Jarrett Stidham is a big winner
The Patriots didn’t draft a quarterback. Maybe Stidham hasn’t won the starting job yet. But he’s the only young prospect who will have the coach’s attention. Sure, the Patriots added two UDFAs. But Stidham is the developmental quarterback for New England. He may also be the franchise quarterback, if given enough time to develop properly this offseason.