New England Patriots rookie quarterback Joe Milton III has generated some buzz due to his performance in the regular season finale against the Buffalo Bills back in January.
NFL insider Brian Baldinger suggested him as an option this year for quarterback-needy teams in the league. However, the Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard took things a step further by saying the Patriots might consider trading the former sixth-round draft pick.
“I thought the Patriots would hold off on entertaining a trade of Joe Milton, who was drafted in the sixth round (193rd overall) last year, for at least another season, but there’s increasing belief around the NFL that the Patriots are at least contemplating a trade of Milton this offseason,” Bedard wrote, as transcribed by NESN.com’s Adam London. “Again, I’m not saying he’s on the block right now, but the Patriots will likely consider it when everything settles with the front office and coaching staff.”
Bedard noted that “some league executives” believe the Patriots could come away with a third-round draft pick in a potential trade involving Milton. Patriots Wire’s Jordy McElroy suggested the same value in an earlier trade opinion piece on the former University of Tennessee quarterback.
Milton impressed against the Bills by going 22-of-29 passing for 241 yards and a touchdown. He showed off his strong arm and ability to extend plays with his legs.
The market for Milton could be high in a year when the pool of quarterbacks in the draft isn’t the deepest. He could be a valuable asset in the Patriots’ ongoing rebuild.
