Free agency might start first, but the 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, leading to the part of the offseason that sees new mock drafts daily. Because the Patriots hold a top-5 pick, they are among the lucky group with the best chances to land a franchise-altering player, and most mock drafts seem to have them accomplishing that with ease.
Who that player will be has shifted over the last few months and will continue to rotate as the draft nears. The current favorite to hear their name called is Abdul Carter from Penn State, a dominant pass rusher who could easily turn the Patriots' defense around immediately.
Because of their options, the focus of who the Patriots will take in the first round has dominated most of the conversation, but some solid players will be available in the second round, as well, or even the potential of trading that pick away.
That's what one of the latest mock drafts has done with a blockbuster trade that would revitalize the Patriot's offense in the way they need to put Drake Maye in the best position possible to succeed in year two.
A new mock draft has the Patriots trading for the wide receiver of their dreams
In a mock draft conducted by Patriots Wire, New England selects Abdul Carter with the fourth overall pick, as expected. That's a homerun selection that is swiftly followed up with an equally good trade for Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf.
Because they don't address the receiving corps in the first round, potentially missing out on the top options in Colorado's Travis Hunter and Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, the Patriots are able to get a proven performer by trading their second-round pick to the Seahawks for Metcalf.
This would seem to imply they also struck out in free agency for a guy like Tee Higgins, especially since taking on Metcalf's contract won't be cheap. But it's still a great trade regardless, and it gives Maye the perfect WR1 that Mike Vrabel and Co. hope to get this offseason.
Getting a player of his caliber for a second-round pick is a huge steal for the new regime, too, as most believe they'd have to trade a future first for the kind of receiver they'd want. Metcalf might not be the top choice for some fans, but he's been a solid player for the Seahawks over the years, no matter who was in at quarterback and could drastically improve the receiving corps to finally put them on the map again.