Revisiting the Jimmy Garoppolo Trade

 

Jimmy Garoppolo was drafted in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft (#62 overall). After backing up Tom Brady for 3.5 years, he was traded mid-season to the 49ers in 2017. The Niners started the year 0-9, before eventually inserting Jimmy G into the lineup and finishing 6-10.

Patriots acquired a second round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. That pick would be slotted at #43 overall. It would also ultimately turn into 6 total players via 8 trades.

This article from NBC best highlights the moves made by the Patriots to maximize the return on the trade.

“Maximize” being a subjective word here, as through two seasons none of the 6 players drafted have had any real impact on the Patriots, but that’s not to say they won’t.

CB Duke Dawson

2018 second round pick (#56). Their third pick in the 2018 draft. Spent the 2018 season on injured reserve and was traded to Broncos before the 2019 season. Dawson played 14 games in 2019 (started 3), had 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery, and 19 tackles.

LB Christian Sam

2018 sixth round pick (#178). Like Dawson, he spent the 2018 season on injured reserved, and was cut on the same day that Dawson was traded (August 30, 2019). He spent time on the practice squad of the Dolphins, 49ers, and Lions.

CB Joejuan Williams

2019 second round pick (#45). He appeared in 9 games as a rookie, mostly playing special teams or as a reserve cornerback. Williams was recently arrested, casting a cloud over his future.

RB Damien Harris

2019 third round pick (#87). The former Alabama running back appeared in just two games for the Patriots in 2019 (both against the Jets), getting just 4 carries total.

T Yodny Cajuste

2019 third round (#101). Cajuste did not play in 2019, he was placed on injured reserved with a quad injury.

QB Jarrett Stidham

2019 fourth round pick (#133). Former Auburn QB appeared in relief in 3 games, most notably throwing a pick six against the Jets in his debut.