CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin has suggested several NFL teams as candidates to trade down in the upcoming late-April draft. One of those possibilities in the first round is the New England Patriots, who currently hold the No. 4 overall pick.
The Patriots have a few top needs, most critically the left tackle position and wide receiver. Other positions include defensive tackle, edge rusher, and to a lesser extent, running back and tight end. Mike Vrabel didn't address left tackle in free agency, a risky proposition, but he did add three veteran offensive linemen at other positions.
He also signed two wide receivers, two edge rushers, and a top defensive tackle, among others. Those positions—and left tackle—still need reinforcement. Dubin offered a scenario in which the Patriots might be open to a trade-down for additional picks. Let’s explore his thoughts and see if they make sense.
If two players are off the board, the Patriots may consider trading down
Here's what Jared Dubin says about the Patriots' possibly trading down from Pick No. 4 to accumulate extra draft picks:
"If both Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are off the board when it's the Patriots' turn to pick, that could be a spot for them to move down and collect extra draft capital with which to fill their many needs. If they don't think Will Campbell or Armand Membou are slam-dunk left tackle options, that could be something we see happen."
Zubin’s assessment is that if both Hunter and Carter are off the board at pick No. 4, then a Patriots trade-down makes sense. He’s spot on with that evaluation. Hunter and Carter are the two transcendent positional players in the draft. And each fills a major Patriots need.
His conditional thought that the Patriots would only consider such a strategy if they don’t view either offensive tackle—LSU’s Will Campbell or Missouri’s Armand Membou, whom he terms “slam-dunk” options, as worthy, doesn’t hold as much water.
Campbell is unquestionably worth the Patriots’ No. 4 pick. He’s the best offensive lineman and left tackle in the draft—a Day One starter who fills the team’s biggest need. All the hubbub about his arm length notwithstanding, Campbell is a slam-dunk addition to the Patriots’ dismal 2024 offensive line.
Membou, however, is a shorter right tackle. Drafting him at No. 4 would be a mistake. The Patriots tried shoehorning two right tackles into the left tackle spot in 2024—it was a failure. Mike Vrabel isn’t going to repeat that mistake. Membou should be a non-consideration with the Patriots’ first pick, whenever they make it.
If Hunter and Carter are out of play, the Patriots have trade-down options. Any offer has to include a top-six pick. There are six blue-chip non-quarterbacks in the draft, including Hunter and Carter. Any will be a great addition to the Patriots. The other four are Campbell, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, and Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
They can trade down as low as pick No. 6, held by the Raiders (a trade with the Jets for No. 7 is out of the question), and still ensure they land one of the six. They should dismiss out of hand any trade-down that risks missing out on one of these players.
Even a slight trade down to five or six must land the Patriots an additional second-round pick, though they may need to add one of their two third-rounders as a sweetener. It’s essential to land Campbell, Jeanty, Graham, or Warren—plus a pick or two.
If no trade materializes, the Patriots should select between Campbell and Jeanty. Why those two at pick No. 4? First, Campbell is a plug-and-play addition at the team’s most pressing position. Taking him affords the team the flexibility to add another left tackle, two receivers, and other needs later on.
Next, Jeanty is an offensive powerhouse and a supreme playmaker—something the Patriots currently lack. He provides a scary counterpunch to Drake Maye’s pinpoint passing. Two left tackles and two wide receivers can then be added in higher rounds (Rounds 2–5), where the Patriots have six total picks.
It’s great to have options—and the Patriots have plenty of them at pick No. 4. They almost can’t mess up this draft… unless they pass on one of the top six non-quarterbacks. If they do, they’ll have bungled the job. Expect Mike Vrabel to get it right.