Packers could ruin Patriots’ plans in first round of 2022 NFL Draft

The New England Patriots‘ 2021 draft was pretty predictable, though they gave analysts and fans the slip by staying put at No. 15 overall after they were widely expected to trade up for one of the top quarterback prospects.

In the end, they looked like geniuses as Mac Jones fell right into their lap.

This year, however, is a different story. With needs at several positions and having to wait until pick No. 21 to draft, the Patriots could play the old process of elimination game and take the best player available at cornerback, linebacker or guard.

That, of course, assumes that no team (unintentionally) screws them by trading up to address a need of their own. Unfortunately for New England, there’s a handful of teams behind them who could justify trading up in Round 1.

Most analysts have pointed to the Titans and Chiefs as potential trade-up candidates, but what about the Packers?

While Tennessee and Kansas City should no doubt strike fear into Patriots fans, Green Bay feels like the most realistic squad that could upend Bill Belichick’s first-round plans.

Could the Packers foil the Patriots’ plans in the upcoming draft?

The Packers own two picks right behind the Patriots, including the No. 22 overall selection. With the No. 28 pick there as insurance, Green Bay could use its first pick as leverage to move up with one of the Ravens, Chargers, Eagles, Saints and Steelers, who own picks 14-20, respectively.

With a glaring need at receiver following the departures of Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and four picks in the top 60, the Packers have all the makings of a team that could move up multiple spots for one of the top WRs.

There’s always the possibility Drake London, Chris Olave or Treylon Burks are available, but can general manager Brian Gutekunst really afford to take that risk? Definitely not, especially when you consider Aaron Rodgers’ current top targets are Allen Lazard, Sammy Watkins and a 31-year-old Randall Cobb.

That makes Green Bay very dangerous from a Patriots standpoint. If they get the sense New England is high on Olave — or even Nakobe Dean since both teams need help at linebacker — they could easily call up the Steelers, who seem set on taking a quarterback, and move one spot ahead of the Patriots.

More so than any team that picks behind the Patriots, the Packers can’t afford to sit on their thumbs and hope one of their draft crushes falls to them. Whether it be one of the top receivers or linebackers, Patriots fans should be wary of Gutekunst and Green Bay foiling New England’s plans on Thursday night.

Then again, we’re talking about a team that hasn’t used a first-round pick on a receiver, running back or tight end since 2002. That’s the longest streak by any team in the Common Draft era, so maybe they’ll look to make it an even 20 years.

We can’t count on it, though.

3 draft day trades New England Patriots should consider

The New England Patriots, who are notorious for their love of trading down, could make one of these three moves in the 2022 NFL Draft.