The 2025 NFL Draft might still be about three months away, but it has been the longtime focus of Patriots fans since it was clear they would not have a successful season and would ultimately land a top-5 pick. That has become an uncommon part of the offseason in New England, as most of the time, they were at the bottom of the first round, but their lack of winning has turned their organization upside down since 2020.
It was a great position to be for the 2024 draft, holding the third overall pick and having the chance to select who appears to be the next face of the franchise in Drake Maye. And while falling just one pick lower this year isn't great, it still provides a great opportunity for the Patriots to add a stud player to their roster.
Because they don't need a quarterback, they can shift their focus elsewhere. For the most part, draft analysts and experts have favored wide receivers or pass rushers to be the No. 4 pick, both of which are positions of need for New England.
It has been a carousel depending on the week of mock drafts, but the most recent ones have favored one player in particular who could dramatically change the Patriots' defense for years to come, especially with Mike Vrabel on the sidelines.
NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper has the Patriots take a destructive pass rusher in Round 1
In one of the more highly anticipated mock drafts of the offseason, ESPN's resident draft expert Mel Kiper finally released his first mock draft last week and have the Patriots selecting one of the best defensive talents of the entire class.
With the fourth overall pick, Kiper has the Patriots take Penn State EDGE Adbul Carter, a player who could single-handedly transform their pass rush.
“Carter is instinctive and fast, and he seems to always be around the ball. He converted from off-ball linebacker to the edge this season and dominated to the tune of 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss. For a New England team that struggled to get pressure, Carter would be a massive addition. New coach Mike Vrabel could move him around and use his disruptive traits to improve the Patriots’ league-low sack count (28).
New England also has glaring holes at receiver and on the offensive line. If Hunter is still on the board, he fits. Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan makes some sense, too. And there’s a shot the Pats get an offer to trade back, which would put them in a better spot to take one of the top offensive tackles. But Carter — my No. 2 prospect — could take this defense to another level.”
For most of the last five years, and maybe even arguably some time before that, the Patriots' defense has been the better-performing side of the team. They were dominant up front and in the secondary, with phenomenal cornerbacks and quarterback-hit linebackers that helped keep the offense afloat, especially during the post-Tom Brady era.
Much of that has been lost with roster turnover from bad free agency signings and drafted players. Inferior coaching can also take some blame, too.
However, that shouldn't be a problem this season with the coaching staff that Mike Vrabel is putting together, particularly defensively. Carter would fit the mold and put their defense on the map again while also helping others who are already on the roster, like Keion White, become explosive in their own right.
If he is still available when the Patriots are on the clock, he would be a masterful choice and potentially their best bet at that point. It would be even better if they fill many of their biggest roster holes through free agency, allowing them to focus on the defense with their first-round pick.