After a successful yet uneventful start to the 2025 NFL Draft, the Patriots are set to be on the clock early in Round 2 at pick No. 38. The consensus believes they'll lean one way with their pick, even potentially trading up to ensure they get the player they want. But some analysts feel they might shock us all and go for a different position instead.
The current belief is that a wide receiver will be their next pick, especially with players like Luther Burden III and Jayden Higgins still on the board. Given the remaining needs on the roster and the prioritization of surrounding Drake Maye with the best possible talent for the upcoming season, it would make sense.
However, some analysts are projecting they'll go with a defensive player instead, likely relying on the Patriots' previous interest in star pass rusher Abdul Carter, who went to the Giants just one pick before them in Round 1.
Because they also need a dominant defensive end to help transform their defense, it makes sense that they might use a high-round pick to ensure they get one. But it doesn't seem like it would be a widely applauded move based on who is still on the board (for now).
Analysts predict the Patriots to surprisingly take a pass rusher to start off Round 2
Looking through the current predictions for how Rounds 2 and 3 will go in the NFL Draft, the Patriots are still favored to take their next wide receiver. The names worth watching remain Burden, Higgins, and even Jaylin Noel, a late addition to the Patriots' pre-draft meetings last week.
Within those predictions is also a leading defender, who some felt may have gone in the first round, only to be available on Friday night instead. That's where ESPN's Matt Miller and CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso have the Patriots making a shocking move, selecting Marshall's Mike Green with pick No. 38.
According to Miller, "Green has elite speed, pass-rush potential and is ideally suited to play in a 3-4 defense, where his lack of strength and bulk isn’t as much of an issue. The Patriots have the right scheme for him and a coach in Mike Vrabel who can take him under his wing.”
Trapasso echoes much of that take in his prediction: "Mike Vrabel wants more pass-rushing threats on his defense. He gets that with Green, a bendy, explosive rusher from Marshall."
Reading what they have to say about Green, it's hard not to feel he would be a good fit, especially with Vrabel on the staff. They certainly need a player who can get to opposing quarterbacks and elevate those around him, so if Green fits that standard, then the Patriots should go for it.
At the same time, though, passing on some of the remaining wide receivers feels like a mistake. They relied on some of the less hyped receivers of last year's class to be a difference maker on offense, and we saw how that didn't work out. It would be repeating a previous wrong by doing that again this year, so it might be best to trade up to get a pass rusher instead.