Because the Patriots' 2024 season did not go as planned, it was clear early on that they would have another top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, just as they did the year before. That led to them selecting their next franchise quarterback in Drake Maye at No. 3, eliminating them from needing a signal caller this year so they could focus on other positions instead.
Although, for a while, they held the first overall pick, their win in Week 18 dropped them to No. 4, taking away the chance to get the best overall player of the entire class or make a blockbuster trade with a team wanting to trade up for the quarterback of their dreams.
Instead, they have become the favorites to land some other quality talent in the class, like Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter, Colorado CB/WR Travis Hunter, or LSU left tackle Will Campbell. Adding any of them to the roster would be hard to be upset about, but their chances of picking the most prominent of those names have decreased in recent weeks, which is not what New England needs.
There is much speculation about which of the three teams ahead of them will pick a quarterback despite all three needing one for the 2025 season. Because of that, there is plenty to suggest that any of those teams (Titans, Browns, and Giants) could want Carter or Hunter, eliminating them from the Patriots' grasp.
That's far from ideal, which makes the latest update about the upcoming draft the news the Patriots would want to hear.
Adam Schefter would be "really surprised" to see a quarterback not be the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft
During a recent episode of his podcast, NFL insider Adam Schefter spoke about the upcoming draft, what he's been hearing regarding the top quarterbacks, and where they might land for the 2025 season.
With all eyes on the Titans with the first overall pick, the most recent speculation suggested they were all-in on taking Carter. But Schefter believes that isn't the case and claims he would be shocked if they didn't take the best quarterback of the class.
“I’d be really surprised right now if Cam Ward is not the No. 1 overall pick."
That is the best possible scenario for the Patriots, leaving just the Browns and Giants ahead of them and increasing their chances of landing Carter or Hunter. A lot has suggested that the new regime is really interested in both players, so it would be interesting to see if they were both somehow available by No. 4 and what they would do.
It likely won't happen, but as the days continue to fly by, it looks like the Patriots will have a better chance at getting at least one of them into their building. That would certainly lessen the blow of falling to the No. 4 pick in the season finale game, especially if they can get the best player at their respective position on either side of the ball.