The 2025 offseason hasn't officially begun just yet since there are still Championship games to be played, but it has unofficially started for the Patriots, who have already made several moves with their personnel. From hiring Mike Vrabel as their next head coach to bringing back longtime offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, it has been a chaotic month in Foxboro.
But that hasn't deterred looking ahead to free agency and the draft, especially since the Patriots are projected to have the most cap space in the league to spend and hold the fourth overall pick. That has prompted a lot of debate about how the new regime will approach both situations, even more so now that Vrabel is in the building to call some shots.
Because of that, New England is no longer the favorite to select some of the top receivers in the incoming class and have shifted their focus to the defense.
That means Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter and CB Travis Hunter are at the top of the list now, but having the opportunity to snag either one at No. 4 might be out of the cards now.
Adam Schefter says the Titans are seriously considering Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter for the first overall pick
During his most recent appearance on WEEI on Wednesday, NFL insider Adam Schefter spoke about the upcoming draft and some of the players the Patriots are likely eyeing to take in the first round.
Because Carter and Hunter have been some of the most discussed names in recent weeks, they inevitably came up in the conversation, and that's when Schefter revealed that the Titans are looking at the EDGE and cornerback to take with the first overall pick, which would be a massive blow to the Patriots' options.
"That is not what New England wanted to hear today"@AdamSchefter thinks the Patriots draft plans took a major hit today pic.twitter.com/2lYbAZnouJ
— WEEI Afternoons (@WEEIAfternoons) January 22, 2025
While this has always been possible since the Patriots lost the first overall pick by winning their Week 18 game against the Bills, the assumption was that the Titans would be a team looking to take a quarterback. They don't appear to have the right guy in Will Levis, so despite the 2025 quarterback class being less than impressive, they would have their pick of them all.
Given how important that position is, it has seemed like a lock for Tennessee. Clearly, that's not the case, according to Schefter.
If they pass on a quarterback, that's a nightmare scenario for the Patriots and potential grounds for trading back to acquire more picks. It's not exactly what fans would want to see, but it might be the wisest decision based on their roster needs.