What It Means:

Jackson's stock has picked up "rapidly" in recent weeks as the quarterback has impressed teams "with his intelligence and football acumen." He should be a lock for the first round, and could go off the board with the Patriots' pick at number 23. They could move up if they need. Of course, Jackson would sit behind Tom Brady until Brady's ready to call it quits, but this would give the Patriots a project to groom for the future.

The Patriots own the 23rd, 31st, 43rd, 63rd and 95th picks in the first 3 rounds of this year's draft. They also own the 2 second-round picks and a seventh-rounder via the Cleveland Browns.