Thanks to two team rivals, the Patriots are currently set to pick atop the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Patriots now hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after the Giants beat the Colts on Sunday. Draft order is determined by record and strength of schedule.

The Patriots are tied with the Giants and Titans with a 3-13 record but have a lower strength of schedule at .465.

A win over the Bills in Week 18 at Gillette Stadium would likely knock the Patriots out of the No. 1 overall pick and potentially down to No. 4 or 5 overall. While a win over the Bills would usually be unlikely, Buffalo will likely rest their starters after clinching the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs with a win over the Jets on Sunday.

The Patriots, who selected Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, don’t need a quarterback, but they could trade the No. 1 overall selection to a QB-needy team to acquire more draft capital.

The Patriots have needs all over their roster but especially at wide receiver, offensive tackle and pass rusher. Among the top players in this year’s draft are quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward, wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, edge defender Abdul Carter and tackles Will Campbell and Kelvin Banks Jr.

Resting their starters and tanking Week 18 would be best for the Patriots in the future, but there’s little benefit for coaches and executives to lose if their jobs are on the line.