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Howe On Garoppolo Pick: Didn't See Need For A Quarterback This Year

BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots' selection of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday was met with some mixed reviews.

While some are happy the team may have found the quarterback who takes over when Tom Brady's days in New England are over, many are upset they took a position they didn't need so early. There are holes on the depth chart at tight end, offensive line and linebacker, and it's hard to disagree that the Patriots should have addressed those needs instead of pick a quarterback.

"I didn't think they needed [a quarterback]," the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe told 98.5 The Sports Hub's Adam Jones Friday night. "For starters, Garoppolo's contract will expire the same time as Brady's. Brady has said he wants to play into his 40's, which means he wants to sign another contract. If that happens, that means you have to convince Garoppolo to sign another contract with the Patriots. If he doesn't, you essentially spent a second round pick on a guy who doesn't play a meaningful down for you.

"That means you drafted him over other guys who could have made an immediate impact on a team that is win-now mode I didn't see the need to get a quarterback this year, or I would have been fine with them getting one in the fourth round."

As for the Garoppolo, Howe says he does have plenty of upside.

"The good thing for the Patriots is they don't need him to play a down for quite a while, so he has time to develop," he said. (He's) very accurate with short and intermediate throws, but doesn't have the elite arm strength to go down the field. We said the same thing about Tom Brady, and that worked out alright, but then again not everyone with great short accuracy turns into Tom Brady.

"He's a competitor and people like him as a leader," Howe continued. "He has some decent pocket presence, and there are a lot of tools to work with, definitely. He's a kid with a bright future.

"He played in the FCS, so he's essentially going up two entire divisions to the NFL. He'll have to learn the speed of the game and things like that. You like the accuracy, game management and the competitiveness, it's just does the guy ever play for you?" Howe questioned.

On the flip side, Howe loved New England's first round selection of Dominique Easley. Hear his thoughts on him and what the Patriots will be focused on come Saturday afternoon:

The Adam Jones Show Jeff Howe

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