Patriots fans were a bit stunned this NFL Draft when the team selected exactly zero (0) quarterbacks, which is a position you might think they want to address following the departure of Tom Brady.
With just Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer on the roster, the Patriots clearly needed to add some people, if only to fill out their camp roster. After the draft completed, they reportedly have now done that, signing two undrafted free agents, according to NFL.com.
The two are J’Mar Smith out of Louisiana Tech and Brian Lewerke out of Michigan State. Both will presumably get the chance to compete for the third QB spot on the roster, barring the Patriots signing a free agent or going out and trading for someone.
Let’s look at the two QBs that the Pats picked up.
Quick Breakdown: J’Mar Smith
Smith was a three-year starter at Louisiana Tech, where he improved markedly each season. He won Conference USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, during a season in which he completed 62% of his passes, with 18 TDs and five picks.
He did this in a year he was forced to miss two games due to a suspension from the athletic department, though it’s unclear what rule he broke to earn the suspension. He returned for the team’s bowl game.
Smith has some scrambling ability, but only rushed for 245 yards in college.
Quick Breakdown: Brian Lewerke
Lewerke was highly touted entering the 2017 season as a Pro Style quarterback with a solid arm. He delivered in his first year under center, but then suffered an injury to his throwing arm and had two uneven seasons with the Spartans.
Was he hurt? Did the team not surround him with enough weapons? Did he just regress? All possibilities, and the Patriots will be hoping they can bank on natural ability and give him the right situation under which to thrive in New England.
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