Patriots add assets for Tom Brady in NFL draft, but QB question looms

Lindsay H. Jones | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Josh Rosen: 'I'm more motivated than I've ever been in my entire life' Quarterback Josh Rosen is highly motivated after falling to the Arizona Cardinals in the No. 10 spot in the NFL draft.

ARLINGTON, Texas – Instead of drafting Tom Brady’s eventual successor with one of their two first-round picks Thursday night, the New England Patriots picked two players who should be able to immediately help their veteran quarterback in the twilight of his career.

The Patriots drafted two players from the University of Georgia – offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn at No. 23 and running back Sony Michel at No. 31, both of whom could help fill significant holes on the offensive roster. The Patriots lost left tackle Nate Solder to the New York Giants in free agency, while versatile running back Dion Lewis signed with the Tennessee Titans.

But those selections shouldn’t necessarily be confused with the team drafting for need in the first round, said Nick Caserio, the Patriots’ director of player personnel.

“You draft good football players,” Caserio said. “We need good players, wherever they come from, whatever positions they play.”

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As owners of a pair of picks in Friday’s second round, the Patriots had the draft pick capital to potentially move up during Thursday’s first round. With Brady turning 41 in August, it was fair to wonder if New England could have been in the market for a first-round quarterback.

That speculation only increased in Arlington this week when former Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson revealed he met with the Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick multiple times, including a workout on campus and a visit to Gillette Stadium.

New England bypassed Jackson twice, however, before he landed with the Baltimore Ravens as the No. 32 overall selection.

Now, drafting Brady’s potential successor will have to wait at least another day.

“There’s some quarterbacks left in the draft?” Caserio joked late Thursday during his news conference in Foxborough, Mass., responding to a question about the passers left on the board.

“Look, there’s a lot of good players and a lot of positions. We will recalibrate in the morning see where we are,” Caserio said.

Veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer remains under contract as Brady’s backup (returning for a second stint in New England last year after Hoyer’s former team, the 49ers, traded for Brady’s previous backup, Jimmy Garoppolo), but the Patriots at some point need to address the long-term future at that position.

Several of the top remaining quarterback prospects could be drafted by the end of the third round Friday night, including Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Washington Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta and Washington State’s Luke Falk.

But the Patriots also need to address some defensive spots in the next few rounds, including linebacker, pass rusher and defensive backs.

If Belichick wants to continue the run on Georgia players – and don’t forget about how he helped lead defensive drills during the Bulldogs’ pro day in Athens – perhaps linebacker Lorenzo Carter could be an option.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.