Patriots eyeing quarterback of the future on Day 2 of NFL Draft?

Could the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick end up landing their quarterback of the future on the second day of the NFL Draft? 

While most of the attention leading up to the NFL Draft at quarterback is going to Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Justin Fields, don’t forget that there are some other signal-callers ready to hear their names called as well. The list includes Davis Mills.

The Stanford signal-caller figures to be taken in either the second round or third round on Friday night. Could he end up suiting up for Bill Belichick? According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, the New England Patriots recently held a long virtual visit with the 6-foot-4, 225-pounder.

Could Davis Mills be the next Patriots quarterback?

Mills appeared in 14 games for the Cardinal throughout his Pac-12 career, throwing for 3,468 yards and 18 touchdowns. During the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, he played in five contests, finishing the year with 1,508 yards and seven scores. He was the No. 1 quarterback recruit coming out of high school but had an injury-plagued college career.

With Tom Brady long gone from New England and winning the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Patriots indeed need a long-term answer at quarterback. Veteran Cam Newton is all set to return to the team as the starter next season, but he’s back on just a one-year deal. Unless he goes on to have a monster campaign, the expectation is he likely won’t return to New England after ’21.

Enter Mills? It’d be a great opportunity for him if he does make his way to New England this year, as he’d be able to learn the ropes from Newton and then potentially take over as the starter down the road. Soon enough we’ll find out what the Patriots decide, but it’s clear they’ve got interest in Mills’ skill set.