Patriots Should Be Ecstatic By NFL Insider’s 2025 Draft Nugget

The Patriots are in an odd spot with the No. 4 pick, which is why all eyes are on what happens with the top three selections.

Tennessee Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker raised eyebrows when he told reporters last week that his team wouldn’t pass on a generational talent with the No. 1 pick. It’s likely the executive had Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter in mind. That wouldn’t bode well for New England, which could use a game-changing star to lift the spirits of a downtrodden franchise.

The 2025 NFL Draft might be the wrong year to want a quarterback, as the class doesn’t look that impressive. However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday discussed the rumblings at the Senior Bowl, noting the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — owners of the No. 2 and No. 3 picks, respectively — “probably” will select a signal-caller.

That would be huge for the Patriots. Because if two of the top three picks are quarterbacks, Mike Vrabel and the New England front office would be in position to select either Carter or Hunter.

NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah had New England selecting Will Campbell in his first mock draft. Offensive line is a position of need. However, Campbell is a tricky prospect to parse through since it’s unclear whether he’s a legit tackle or a guard. That’s why the idea of drafting Carter or Hunter — players who have fewer questions around them — would be more tantalizing for the Patriots. (New England already has its quarterback in Drake Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.)

Rapoport’s comments came during Senior Bowl week, so things always could change, especially once the NFL Scouting Combine rolls around. But the Browns and Giants could be on quarterback watch in the 2025 NFL Draft, which would be perfect for New England.