The Patriots currently hold the second overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is widely viewed as a two-quarterback class.
That’s an advantageous position to be in, especially since New England already has its franchise signal-caller in Drake Maye. And given their numerous needs, the Patriots are in a prime position with two weeks left in the season.
Prime position to trade back, that is.
The 2-13 Giants, who currently hold the No. 1 overall pick, almost certainly will draft either Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders. NFL draft analysts including ESPN’s Matt Miller, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson and 33rd Team’s Kyle Crabbs on Monday all predicted the Giants would select Ward at No. 1. That won’t be determined until the spring, of course, but it could translate into a bidding war for Sanders.
A bidding war would be a dream scenario for the Patriots, as discussed on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast released Monday.
Perhaps the Tennessee Titans, who currently have the fourth pick, try to jump up a few spots. Maybe it’s the Las Vegas Raiders, who dropped from No. 1 to No. 6 after their Week 16 win over Mac Jones and the Jaguars. Las Vegas has been linked to Sanders, who reportedly would like to play in Sin City. Perhaps another team like the New York Jets (No. 8) or the New Orleans Saints (No. 10) get crazy and offer a haul.
There are options for the Patriots, and New England would be wise to consider any and all of them.
New England needs an influx of talent. The best way to hit the bullseye might just be to collect the most darts. That’s not to say the Patriots would be passing up on high-end talent, either. We’re not talking about trading outside the top 20.
If the Patriots traded back with the Titans, they would still get either Colorado’s Travis Hunter or their highest-graded offensive lineman. Should they trade back with the Raiders, they still likely would have their chance at a top offensive lineman or a wide receiver like Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan. Meanwhile, either deal almost certainly would net at least a Day 2 pick in 2025 and perhaps even a future first-rounder. The haul has to be worth it, of course.
The Patriots have the 9-6 Chargers in Week 17 and 12-3 Bills in Week 18. It’s fair to think New England won’t win another game. The Giants, meanwhile, have a path to their third win against the 7-8 Colts in Week 17 before the 12-3 Eagles in Week 18. Is there still a chance New England will improve its draft stock? Maybe.
But even as it currently stands, the Patriots are in a prime position given their needs and the number of quarterback-needy teams below them in the draft.
