Who Will Patriots Draft In Round 1? Team Insider Tabs ‘Heavy Favorite’

The Patriots apparently have a “dream scenario” for the 2025 NFL Draft, but it doesn’t seem like it will come true April 24.

As The Atheltic’s Chad Graff outlined in a column published Tuesday, New England hopes Abdul Carter and/or Travis Hunter are available at No. 4. However, with neither the Cleveland Browns nor the New York Giants likely to select a quarterback, Carter and Hunter appear poised to account for the second and third overall picks in some order.

So, where would that leave the Patriots?

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“If that’s the case, the Pats will probably have to stick and pick at No. 4 without Hunter or Carter as options. The real bummer for the Pats is that this draft class falls off after Hunter, Carter and Ward are gone,” Graff wrote.

“But in that event, the guess here is the Patriots take the guy they see as the best offensive lineman. That’s why LSU’s Will Campbell seems like the heavy favorite to land in New England as the draft nears.”

Campbell arguably is the most polarizing premier prospect in this draft class, almost solely due to the difference in opinions on his measurables. However, Mike Vrabel doesn’t seem to care too much about the LSU product’s arm length, and the ever-confident coach probably believes he can turn Campbell into a standout NFL tackle.

Would Campbell be the most exciting first-round pick for the Patriots? Of course not. But New England’s primary objective in this draft should be adding support for Drake Maye, and Campbell would help fulfill that objective.