2020 NFL Draft: Patriots trade with Chargers, LAC takes Kenneth Murray

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after stopping the Baylor Bears offense in the first quarter of the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Kenneth Murray #9 of the Oklahoma Sooners celebrates after stopping the Baylor Bears offense in the first quarter of the Big 12 Football Championship at AT&T Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

The Chargers trade back into the first round, taking New England’s 23rd overall pick to select Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray.

The Tom Brady era in New England has come to an end and the Patriots have made their first selection without him. They have now traded the 23rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft to the Chargers, who select offensive tackle Kenneth Murray.

Hopefully the fortunes have turned around for the Patriots here after whiffing on a few first rounders in recent years. After selecting the likes of Isaiah Wynn, Sony Michel, and N’Keal Harry, the Patriots have not seen much contribution from any of them. Wynn has been hurt both of the years of his career to this point, Michel has been buried on the depth chart, and Harry has shown an inability to separate from coverage, just as he did in college.

Gathering more assets ensures you have more picks to swing at. A win-win as New England gets more assets and the Chargers get a new quarterback of their defense in Murray

With the selection of Murray, maybe the Chargers will hit a homerun and get into Super Bowl contention. For New England, however, their search for a new quarterback continues.

It will be interesting to see if they turn to the quarterback position later in the 2020 NFL Draft to replace Brady at the helm. For now it looks like Brian Hoyer, and potentially an addition of Cam Newton or Jameis Winston.

Jones will greatly improve a roster that added plenty of talent in Los Angeles this offseason. Herbert, now Murray, the Chargers are adding cornerstone pieces here.