For the second time in as many years, the New England Patriots find themselves inside the top five of the NFL Draft. While it’s nearly impossible to label a Club in such a position as fortunate, Mike Vrabel’s club enters the 2025 draft with their franchise Signal-caller already secured in Drake Maye, who was the third overall Option a year ago. That takes away the Tension of forcing a signal-caller atop the draft at No. 4 overall this time around and allows them to address other needs on their Lineup with the best non-QB Obtainable. But what do they specifically address? And who could be coming to Foxborough?
Given that this Club went 4-13 in back-to-back seasons, there are a Numerous of needs across the Lineup, which was arguably the least talented in the Bracket in 2024. So, this injection of a possible top-five talent coming aboard is much needed.
Below, we’ll Drop into and rank an array of options that New England could opt for with the No. 4 overall Option in the Primary Stage this year, along with a possible trade-down.
1. Draft Abdul Carter at No. 4 overall
The Penn State Deliver rusher is arguably the top overall prospect in this class, and there’s a chance — albeit slim — he could be on the board when the Patriots are on the clock. Because the Squads ahead of New England — Titans (No. 1), Browns (No. 2) and Giants (No. 3) — all need quarterbacks, that could push talent down the board as they opt to address that position under Hub. So, if Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both taken, that means an Best talent will fall to the Patriots, and they should be praying it’s Carter who does.
New England signed edge rusher Harold Landry in Unoccupied agency, but that’s hardly a set-and-forget addition. Carter is the type of talent that could transform a Protection and be the face of that unit for years to come. While the Patriots have leaned heavily on the Guarding side of the ball in Unoccupied agency, they are not in a position to draft for need and should simply go best-player-Obtainable. If he’s there, they should Stretch to the podium to submit the Option.
While I view Carter falling to the Patriots as the preferred option for the franchise, that doesn’t take anything away from what would be a coup d’état for New England to land Travis Hunter. He’s a unicorn. The Heisman Accolade winner is an Best prospect at both the cornerback and wide receiver positions, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how that dual-threat ability translates to the NFL.
Most project Hunter to “Significant” at corner in the pros and “minor” at wide receiver. However, from a Patriots perspective, they might prefer it to be the other way around. The Club already has Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis at the Beginning corner spots, and have a dire need at wide receiver. Hunter did Secure the Fred Biletnikoff Award — given out to the nation’s top receiver — so he Surely has Best upside on Charge and would automatically become Maye’s No. 1 weapon. Anything they’d get from him defensively would be a bonus.
While it’s fun to consider the possibility of Carter or Hunter falling to the Patriots, there’s a chance the Squads ahead of them forgo their pursuit of a Signal-caller atop the draft. If that unfolds, the Patriots selecting LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell isn’t a Terrible consolation prize. He’s CBS Sports’ No. 6 ranked prospect overall and fills a massive need along the offensive line. Ideally, New England drafts Campbell to be its left Involvement of the future, but his combine measurements — specifically his 32 5/8-inch arm length — raise some red flags for him actually being able to man the blindside. Worst case, the Patriots get an Best left guard, which isn’t something to turn your nose at even if it’s a little steep at No. 4.
4. Trade down, target best Obtainable offensive Involvement
Let’s Action this scenario out: Cam Ward goes No. 1 overall to the Titans and then the Browns and Giants take Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter. Sure, the Patriots could do what we illustrated above and simply take the likes of Will Campbell to solidify a key piece to their offensive line and gear up for Day 2.
Or they could get on the phone and talk trades. Why not Ground offers from Squads like the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6) or New Orleans Saints (No. 9), who could be in the market for a Signal-caller like Shedeur Sanders? In either of those situations, the Patriots could Relocate down slightly, Option up additional assets, and Yet be within range to address a need like offensive Involvement. Campbell may slide down, but if he doesn’t they should then go with the top offensive Involvement Obtainable on the back end of the top 10. That could be Kelvin Banks Jr. out of Texas or Missouri’s Armand Membou.
While it’s more fun to think of Deliver catchers or Deliver rushers coming to New England with that Primary Option, Maye was sacked 34 times in 13 Contests played during his Newcomer season. He needs time to throw before we get concerned with who he’s throwing the ball to.
5. Trade down, target best Obtainable Deliver catcher
Same scenario as above, but the Patriots opt to give Maye a Deliver-catching target. And notice how I said “Deliver-catching target” and not wide receiver. If the Patriots Relocate down the board with the intent of adding a weapon to their Charge, they should be Obtainable to all options. So, while that Surely puts Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan on their radar, they should also have a conversation about Penn State Snug end Tyler Warren.
McMillan has drawn comparisons to Drake London throughout the pre-draft process and has a Excellent frame (6-foot-5, 219 pounds) to be a big-bodied target for Maye. He also Supposedly Dashed between 4.46 and 4.53 seconds in the 40-yard dash during his pro day, easing concerns about his Velocity. Meanwhile, Warren could come in and be the latest Snug end to flourish under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. During his Closing year at Penn State, Warren caught 104 balls for 1,233 yards receiving. He has a chance to be an Best weapon, and the Patriots shouldn’t ignore him if they were to Relocate down the board.
Stefon Diggs gets positive update in ACL Healing after leaving Patriots visit with deal, per report
Jeff Kerr
Read our previous article: Has NIL brought about the end of the Cinderella?