Some intel before I give you my final mock draft for the Patriots ahead of tonight's draft (8 p.m., ESPN/NFL Network):
• There are various reports out there, mostly in the national media, that are purporting that the Patriots have held trade talks about moving up in the draft to take a quarterback, likely Justin Fields. First of all, the Patriots always make calls as part of their due diligence. And they make calls up and back. You can't go shopping unless you have an idea of the price of something ahead of time.
• Related to that: I can't get Mike Lombardi's words out of my head about how a top half of the first round player needs to be, to the Patriots, top 10 at their position in the NFL right now and can't be gameplanned around. That leads me to think, unless the 49ers pass on Jones, the Patriots could trade up in the first round ... for a position that is not quarterback.
Who are the players I think fit the bill as top 10 in the NFL at their position tomorrow?
QB Trevor Lawrence
TE Kyle Pitts
WR Ja'Marr Chase
WR DeVonta Smith
OT Rashawn Slater
CB Patrick Surtain
Maybe:
QB Zach Wilson
OT Penei Sewell
OT Christian Darrisaw
CB Jaycee Horn
WR Jaylen Waddle
That's 11 players. The Patriots might have eight players on their list they would consider at 15, or else they'll trade back.
The Patriots, over the years, have put a premium cost in a few positions: quarterback, offensive tackle and cornerback. The Patriots have never, in my estimation, won a Super Bowl without a stud cornerback: Ty Law (three titles) ... 10-year gap ... Darrelle Revis (one), Stephon Gilmore (one). And the Patriots paid Revis and Gilmore. With the future of Gilmore and JC Jackson up in the air, why not get that next stud cornerback at your price?
I think if Surtain — who has bloodlines and played in the same scheme at Alabama for Nick Saban — begins to slip due to the rush on quarterbacks, then I think the Patriots could move up for him. It's possible Horn could also be in that territory. It's possible Surtain and/or Horn are available at 10 and 11, and jumping the Eagles — a little easier with the Justin Fields trade-up chatter out there — could land them their stud corner who is ready to start. I also don't rule out trading up for an offensive tackle.
Who can help them this year? I don't think it's Fields or Lance. I think it's a cornerback or offensive tackle. Later in the round, I like Zaven Collins as well if they trade down. I don't think Caleb Farley, my last mock draft pick, would be considered until the second round with his medical — and I would go get him ala Rob Gronkowski. Farley could be a star like Gronk.
• What's the deal with Jimmy Garoppolo? Here's what I know: Garoppolo and his camp were not happy after the latest Kyle Shanahan press conference, and they have been allowed to work out a contract with other teams. The biggest sticking point — and there is some competition for Garoppolo — is the trade compensation. The 49ers refuse to face the reality they have lost their leverage. The Patriots received a second-round pick for Garoppolo the first time because he was cheap and full of promise. Now? Garoppolo has missed two of the past three seasons and costs $25 million. Teddy Bridgewater just went for a sixth and the Panthers at some money. That would put Garoppolo in the third- (if the 49ers eat some money) or fourth-round range. Everyone in the league knows they're drafting Mac Jones and it will take him two days to be the starter, and keeping Garoppolo isn't realistic because the players will be divided.
• If the 49ers don't do the deal in the next 24-48 hours, then the Patriots are prepared to walk away forever (or at least until Garoppolo is released). They are fine rolling with Cam Newton, Jarrett Stidham and a draft QB.
• I also have heard from sources that Shanahan doesn't really like Belichick all that much — Mike Shanahan and Belichick get along well, and Kyle goes along for that reason — and this has devolved into one big pissing match between the two, similar to Belichick's old rivalry with agent Tom Condon that caused the Brandon Lloyd deal to take forever. Just do the freaking deal you stubborn mules!
• I don't think Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is under consideration. Again, I don't know that.