FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — One year following the New England Patriots selected quarterback Mac JonesSome were surprised when they drafted a Western Kentucky quarterback in round one. Bailey ZappeIn Saturday’s fourth round.
Matt Groh, the first-year director of player personnel, explained that the team is following a college-like model.
He said at Saturday’s conclusion that, “just like a college program might bring in a highly-respected quarterback one year,”.
The Patriots selected Zappe as No. Some were surprised by the selection of Zappe at No.137. This was partly because Jones is a stalwart starter and also because the Patriots seemed to have other needs, particularly in defense, that were not trumped.
Only three of the 10 draft picks were defenders, cornerbacks. Marcus Jones (third round, No. 85) Jack Jones (fourth Round, No. 121), defensive tackle Sam Roberts (6th round, No. 200).
Groh was the Patriots’ first-year head of personnel under Bill Belichick. He said it would be a mistake not to recognize the importance and value of having a strong quarterback.
He said, “One man is on the field, but it’s better to have another one, two, three or four, or whatever number you have in the system.” You never know when these guys will be needed. You’ll be in serious trouble if you aren’t able to fill that role.
Zappe joins 14-year veteran Brian HoyerPick of the 2019 Fourth-round Jarrett StidhamOn the depth chart below Jones. The Patriots will likely retain a maximum of three quarterbacks in their fall preseason trimming of the 90-man roster to 53.
Bailey is a great player. Groh said that Bailey is a winner. He has many great traits that you would want in a quarterback. He’s going to be an asset to our team. He will have to figure out the role and then move forward.
Zappe, 23, began his career at Houston Baptist. He transferred to Western Kentucky last year after being cut by COVID in 2020. Zappe’s nine-win season helped the team break the Football Bowl Subdivision single championship record of 62 touchdown passes. This was a break from the previous record set by LSU (previously). Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
Zappe stated that it was a dream come real to be drafted in the NFL. Jones is a great prospect for him.
He’s a great quarterback and so are all the other QBs in the room. I look forward to learning as much as possible from them and helping the team. He said that he was very excited about the opportunity.
Zappe is eighth Patriots’ quarterback draftee since 2010. New York Jets for most in the NFL over that span, according to ESPN’s Stats & Information.