By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
Based on the quarterback availability at last week’s NFL Combine, it looked like the Patriots had met with five different signal callers. Apparently, they got a late meeting in with an additional arm.
Justin Herbert told Peter King that he sat down with Josh McDaniels while the two were in Indianapolis. From King’s Monday morning column:
King:Who’d you meet at the combine who was impressive, or who you really wanted to meet?Herbert:“Coach McDaniels with the Patriots. [Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.] That’s a guy I’ve always watched, always looked up to. I love their offense.”
Herbert and the Patriots would make an interesting pairing. The Oregon product is mobile and has a big arm, but the mental element of his game isn’t close to NFL ready. Basically, if the Patriots were to make Herbert their new starting QB, it would be a complete reversal from what they had last year.
On top of the fit, actually drafting the 21-year-old won’t be so easy. Herbert may be off the board before New England has a chance to take him. He should be the third or fourth quarterback taken, with some projecting him to go in the top-10 if a QB-needy team trades up.
Right now, this feels more like the Patriots doing their due diligence than an actual indication of their plans, similar to their meeting with Jordan Love last week. However, if Brady leaves and they become one of those QB-needy teams looking to move up, Herbert would certainly be in play.