The 2025 NFL Draft is officially a month away, and there’s still a lack of clarity about what the Titans, Browns and Giants will do before the Patriots select fourth overall.
In this week’s mailbag, we’ll use questions from the AMA (ask me anything) I conducted on the Patriots’ subreddit last week.
Let’s get into it.
My best guess is that the Titans will take Miami QB Cam Ward, the Browns will select either Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State edge defender Abdul Carter, and the Giants will select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.
The Browns could double-up on talented edge defenders after re-signing Myles Garrett, but it seems to make more sense for them to select Hunter. That would leave the Patriots with Carter.
So, that’s my current prediction.
In a best-case scenario for the Patriots, Ward, Sanders and another quarterback (Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart?) all are selected in the top three, and then they have their choice between Carter and Hunter.
In a worst-case scenario, only one quarterback, or none, get selected in the top three. In that situation, the Patriots would either have to reach for Will Campbell or trade down.
Carter feels like the safer pick. But Hunter fills a bigger need if he’s used primarily as a wide receiver.
So, if forced to choose, I would go with Hunter.
It really feels like the Patriots can’t go wrong with either player, though. They pretty desperately need an elite pass-rusher, and Carter has that potential.
And Hunter is probably the most talented player in the draft, whether he’s a wide receiver, cornerback or both. I would lean towards using him at wide receiver simply because it’s proven extremely difficult for the Patriots to find a top player at that position.
And then Hunter could still be used in critical passing situations as a defensive back.
The Patriots obviously need all of the help that they can get at wide receiver, so I would advocate for them taking anyone on the first or second day.
But they really need a true X receiver. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan and Arizona State’s Jayden Higgins are the best fits in that role. TCU’s Jack Bech and Savion Williams could be solid pickups later in the draft, as well.
Tyler Warren is a really fun player, but I would be a little bit concerned with drafting a tight end so early in a trade down.
Brock Bowers was a great pick for the Raiders last season, but tight ends rarely living up to their billing when drafted early in the first round.
I’d feel more comfortable selecting Warren in a trade back into the first round from the second round. But this is also a strong draft at tight end. The Patriots would be smart to look into taking Colston Loveland, Elijah Arroyo, Mason Taylor, Terrance Ferguson or Harold Fannin Jr.
First, thank you! I think the No. 4 overall pick is a little rich to take McMillan, but otherwise I like that plan a lot.
Left tackle is the Patriots’ biggest current need, but unfortunately there’s not an ideal prospect at that position to select at No. 4 overall. So, their options are to reach on a tackle at No. 4, trade down and get someone like Campbell, wait until the No. 38 overall pick or be aggressive and trade back up into the bottom of the first round to take a remaining left tackle.
Maybe guys like Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, Texas’s Kelvin Banks, Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. and Minnesota’s Aireonte Ersery last until the second round. But once a few of the tackles come off of the board, the Patriots should have a better sense on if they can wait or will have to trade back up.
The Patriots should trade to come out of the draft with a rookie tight end and rookie running back.
They’re pretty set at safety right now with Kyle Dugger, Jabrill Peppers, Marcus Epps, Jaylinn Hawkins, Brenden Schooler, Dell Pettus and Marte Mapu.
They need to add more youth at cornerback, though, even after signing Carlton Davis.
I really don’t mind the signing. He’s an NFL starting center. Yes, the Vikings went out and upgraded by signing Ryan Kelly, but Bradbury still presents an upgrade over what the Patriots had at the position after cutting David Andrews.
It would be nearly impossible for them not to be more productive. Polk caught 12 passes for 87 yards last season, and Baker caught one 12-yard pass in Week 18.
I don’t think you can pencil in either player as a starter, but a move to the slot could save Polk’s career. And Baker is a very talented player. I’d like to see him get a shot at either outside receiver spot. But if the Patriots add a top-end wide receiver through free agency or the draft, I could also see either player getting buried on the depth chart while competing with Kendrick Bourne, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas for snaps.
Originally Published: