The New England Patriots' first pick comes at one of the worst "value" points of the draft board.
Relative, at least, to the historical average.
Normally, with the fourth overall pick, a team can expect to get an elite, blue-chip, often can't miss-type prospect. In some years, when quarterbacks go #1, #2 and #3 - like in 2024, the fourth overall pick gets the best non-QB in the entire draft.
However, in 2025, things are a little different.
After quarterback, Cam Ward, who is all but confirmed to be heading to the Tennessee Titans come Thursday evening, Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter stand head and shoulders above the rest of the draft class.
Sadly for the Patriots, Hunter is believed to be, around the league, essentially a lock to the Cleveland Browns at #2, with Carter the current heavy favorite to end up with the Giants at #3.
Speaking on SportsCenter, Patriots insider Mike Reiss reveals that the Patriots' number one desire out of the first round of the draft, is to come away with a future left tackle. And that whilst interest from other teams in moving up to the #4 spot where New England currently reside is "modest" at the moment, this is very much dependant on how the first three picks ultimately go.
"If there's one thing to know about the Patriots' intentions, it's that they want to come out of this draft with more infrastructure around quarterback, Drake Maye", Reiss said,"...Now I am told they are willing to move down from that number four pick, but at this point interest in the pick has been modest. Now a lot will depend on what happens one, two, three in terms of who is available to the Patriots."
With some reports coming out that the Patriots actually prefer the current prime contender to be taken at #4, Will Campbell, to star edge prospect, Abdul Carter, moving down a few spots could allow New England to stock up on draft capital whilst perhaps still getting their guy - or another capable left tackle.
At this point, the trade down dream is certainly not dead, but there will likely need to be a major shakeup in the first three picks for a team to be willing to part with any sort of significant capital to make their way up to the top five.
