Trade rumors are afoot because of the surprise decision made by the New England Patriots to host Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
Penix is scheduled to have dinner with Patriots officials and coaches on Monday, April 15, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
On Tuesday, Penix is scheduled to visit with the top-30 players. It’s “notable,” according to NESN’s Zack Cox, who is not alone in noting that there “hasn’t been anything connecting the Patriots to Penix during the pre-draft process” this year.
Patriots.com’s Evan Lazar wrote, “Couldn’t fathom the #Patriots going through this process without any genuine involvement with Penix.” “He need to be discussed as a potential outcome following a trade down, even if it happens that they select another quarterback at No. 3.”
NBC Sports Tom Curran of Boston believes that the Patriots could trade down to acquire Penix. It makes it possible to support the entire rebuild.
In my opinion, Penix, it would be fantastic to acquire Michael Penix by trading down and having artillery to cover wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, edge, and most of those positions. It’s fantastic,” Curran remarked on Monday.
With the third overall choice in the draft, New England may select either Drake Maye of North Carolina or Jayden Daniels of LSU. Trade rumors involving that pick and teams in need of a quarterback, such the Minnesota Vikings or Denver Broncos, have surfaced.
Curran stated, “The Patriots should not be able to make a mistake in this draft in many ways.” “The guy they choose will be deserving of being an NFL starting quarterback, even if they mess it up when the player arrives.”
The Patriots could select Penix and fill the several roster gaps that resulted in a 4-13 season in 2023 if they decide to trade down. On Monday, Chad Graff of The Athletic listed those as well as four other needy positions.
After a second consecutive season of poor play, the team traded away Mac Jones, leaving the position of quarterback as just one of the gaps. On both sides of the ball, additional needs include tight end, offensive tackle, cornerback, wide receiver, and interior lineman. Running back, safety, linebacker, and edge rusher are some other positions.
Penix would provide New England with a skilled and seasoned passer. Over the course of six college seasons, Penix passed for 13,741 yards, 96 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions. 63.3% of his passes were completed, and his passer rating was 146.6.
He comes with a lot of baggage, Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston stated on Monday. When it comes to intangibles, he is exceptional. Despite his personal struggles, he has overcome two knee injuries that ended the season and two shoulder surgeries that ended the season.
He has a lot of guts and has played some pretty good football in the past few years, but Perry said that there are several factors that make him a second-round potential rather than a high first-round pick like some of the other players.
