Will the Patriots Trade Up for a Quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft?

(Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

With the NFL draft just under two weeks away, there are plenty of questions that remain unanswered. One that seems to be on everyone’s mind lately: will the Patriots trade up for a quarterback?

Several different mock draft’s from NFL analysts have the Patriots doing so. Most notably, Mel Kiper from ESPN. He has New England trading up for the 10th pick to select Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields.

Tom Brady ➡️ Cam Newton ➡️ Justin Fields?@melkiperESPN predicts Fields to the Patriots in his mock draft 4.0. Check out the full two rounds here (ESPN+): https://t.co/igHtqVVP5O pic.twitter.com/xbrbeND1d4
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 14, 2021

The team seems to be taking a more collaborative approach to the draft this season, which team owner Robert Kraft hinted at earlier this month. “I don’t feel we’ve done the greatest job the last few years and I really hope, and I believe — I have seen a different approach this year,” he said during NFL owners meetings.

Patriots head coach and general manager Bill Belichick held his first press conference of the offseason on Thursday and gave some insight into the team’s thoughts heading into the draft.

He told reporters that this year’s quarterback class is “definitely an interesting group.” Thus far, the Patriots have sent their brass to all of the top signal caller’s pro days.

Belichick was asked about the possibility of moving up the board to draft a quarterback. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry reported that he said they wouldn’t rule this out – but that it applies to all positions, not just quarterback.

Belichick was asked if he might be willing to "overdraft" a quarterback he likes, knowing that the player may not be available when his grade and NE's draft position match up. Belichick doesn't rule it out. Says that hypothetical really applies to all positions, though.
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) April 15, 2021

A trade this far up the board would be unprecedented for the Patriots. However, in an offseason where they shelled out over $159 million in guaranteed money to free agents, anything seems possible. The draft kicks off on April 29, less than two weeks away.