NFL Draft rumors: Patriots could take Zach Mettenberger to replace Tom Brady

Nov 23, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) throws against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2013; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Zach Mettenberger (8) throws against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

In the process leading up to the 2014 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots have had a good number of visits with some quarterbacks. This has led some to believe that the team could be in the market for the eventual replacement for Tom Brady as his career begins to wind down.

Whether or not that is their intention remains to be seen, but veteran NFL analyst Gil Brandt certainly does believe that’s what they intend to do, and he sees former LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger would be a rather good fit for that job.


Mettenberger, who is coming off a knee injury at the end of last season, has been rising up a number of peoples’ draft boards as he has shown tremendous progression from that injury and he put on a pretty good showing at his recent Pro Day throwing the ball.

New England could be the perfect scenario for Mettenberger as he wouldn’t be under any immediate pressure to be on the field right off the bat, giving that knee even more time to heal.

And then, who knows, he could eventually inherit the franchise down the road.