2025 Draft: Patriots Discussion

[NextBigThing8184]

Hunter is one of the guys I absolutely do not want the Pats to touch in the top 3.

I don’t think he’s the best CB or WR in the draft and the two way stuff is unlikely to play at the NFL level to the degree necessary to make up for passing over the best single position players

Might be the most talented guy in the draft but maybe not the best actual player given how he will have to pick one position to settle at in the NFL

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Cam Ward not hurting his case for being a top three pick worth trading up for.

 

[Cellar-Door]

So I was listening to Tevor Sikkema (PFF's top draft guy) and he mentioned he is pretty high on the OT class this year, thinks people are getting way too negative comparing to last year.

So the two guys I like most for OL is Zeirlein and Thorn. Zeirlein hasn't had much draft stuff yet. Thorn did the pre-season scout rankings with B/R.... they had Campbell as a G, but Thorn had a positive writeup on Banks, and his twitter shows that he likes him quite a bit, he mentioned that he has seen some nice run blocking (which he wrote up as a concern pre-season).

 

[Cellar-Door]

Cam Ward not hurting his case for being a top three pick worth trading up for.

Beck and Milroe on the other hand.......

 

[Auger34]

Banks has had a rough night tonight

 

[Cellar-Door]

Banks has had a rough night tonight

I didn't think he was that bad, not that good either, but Williams was the guy getting blown up

 

[bsj]

My FA plan would be to sign Garrett Bolles (OT), James Daniels (OG), Tee Higgins (WR).

I would then trade the 1st pick we have, likely top 3, for a couple more firsts and hopefully a 2025 2nd.

I'd then use the 1st this year for another OT, and then the 2 2nd rounders for defense. The D needs to be rebuilt.

I'd also consider a TE if there is a gamechanger sitting there in Rd 2.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

My FA plan would be to sign Garrett Bolles (OT), James Daniels (OG), Tee Higgins (WR).

I would then trade the 1st pick we have, likely top 3, for a couple more firsts and hopefully a 2025 2nd.

I'd then use the 1st this year for another OT, and then the 2 2nd rounders for defense. The D needs to be rebuilt.

I'd also consider a TE if there is a gamechanger sitting there in Rd 2.

This is a dream scenario but easier said than done at basically every stage.

Bolles and Higgins are some of the most desired FAs at their positions so we will have to outbid every other team on money and even then it may not be enough.

Acquiring a draft haul is pretty much a parlay on (a) getting the #1 pick and (b) having Ward or maybe Sanders play well enough over the next two months to rise up draft boards and induce some desperate team to trade for him.

 

[ehaz]

They're going to have to substantially overpay for talent somewhere. May as well give Bolles Trent Williams money if that's what it takes.

 

[NomarsFool]

A lot can change over the next 10 games, but it really sucks that the Patriots are currently sitting on the #1 pick in a draft without any kind of real 'generational talent' that would fetch the kind of haul they need (even though I think that term is very over-used). Nice to see the Rams pick up a game.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

They're going to have to substantially overpay for talent somewhere. May as well give Bolles Trent Williams money if that's what it takes.

Or Ronnie Stanley if the Ravens let him get to FA.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Why would the Broncos and Ravens let their left tackles hit open free agency? Stanley is pretty flawed but having a good enough year (his best in a while), Bolles is consistently good.

seem like they’d be obvious extension or tag candidates

 

[jk333]

I’d like the Patriots to target offense in the first three rounds with a goal to get a #1 receiver and tackle with a lot of upside. Then they probably also need to sign a tackle to a significant overpay.

Then supplement the defense later in the draft, especially safety and linebacker where you can get good players late. I did a version today. In real life, I’d prefer to trade down a couple picks and take Burden but I don’t have that feature... also, Burden may not be the best fit for the Patriots with AVP wanting to take big shots downfield. That said, to me, Burden is the type of player the offense needs even if he’s not exactly what they want.

Curious to hear @SMU_Sox on
Burden vs. McMillen

 

[Cellar-Door]

Nate Tice had his new big board....

6 tackles in the top 26...
#5 Campbell (Thinks short arms aren't likely to stop him)
#9 Banks (prefers him at guard but thinks good enough for T)
#18 Ersery
#20 Conorly
#25 Simmons (Knee injury out for year)
#26 Jones (unrefined, ducks head but good body)

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

#26 Jones (unrefined, ducks head but good body)

Is "ducks head" (i) an Oregon reference, (ii) that he bobs his head a lot, (iii) a term for something bad in Offensive Linemen, (iv) a clever reference to something cultural that I don't know, because I'm boring and illiterate?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Is "ducks head" (i) an Oregon reference, (ii) that he bobs his head a lot, (iii) a term for something bad in Offensive Linemen, (iv) a clever reference to something cultural that I don't know, because I'm boring and illiterate?

He drops his head when he blocks, which leans him forwards and messes with his balance.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

Ah! Interesting, thanks

 

[DJnVa]

For better or worse, Pats are back to picking #1.

 

[BigJimEd]

For better or worse, Pats are back to picking #1.

Yesterday's loss was a big one for draft position. Lot of games to be played though with 7 teams at 2-7 and 9 teams with only two wins. That's a lot of bad teams.

 

[GB5]

If the Pats land a 1, or even top 3, is there at least one or a few qb’s that teams will overpay for to move up? Doesn’t have the feel of an elite qb draft like last year.

 

[cshea]

If the Pats land a 1, or even top 3, is there at least one or a few qb’s that teams will overpay for to move up? Doesn’t have the feel of an elite qb draft like last year.

Cam Ward from Miami seems to be the hot QB prospect and has risen to QB1. After him, Deion's kid Shadeur seems to be QB2. I'm not sure how either compares as prospects to last years class but my sense is they aren't prospects in the same tier as Williams/Daniels/Maye. But I could be wrong, I'm not as in tune with the QB prospects this year.

The good news is that of the other 8 (!) 2-win teams, I think 6 of them are QB needy. Carolina, NY Giants, Cleveland, New Orleans, Vegas and Tennessee. If there are only 2 QB's and 6 teams needing one, the Pats might be in a good position if they end up top 3. Someone will get antsy and move up.

 

[BaseballJones]

If the Pats land a 1, or even top 3, is there at least one or a few qb’s that teams will overpay for to move up? Doesn’t have the feel of an elite qb draft like last year.

All you need is one really good QB prospect and a handful of teams desperate for a starting QB and that can drive the price up huge for that #1 pick.

 

[DJnVa]

Disregard the actual players here, but look at all the picks they *might* be able to garner by moving around. Four in the top 50, 8 in the top 100, 10 in top 115, plus a boat load for 2026.

If that's even close....

 

[NextBigThing8184]

I think there will always be demand for the #1 pick. I don’t think the demand for #2 - 5 will be as high though.

it also depends on how far the Pats want to drop. If Vegas (e.g.) is the team most willing to trade up but are drafting 8th, do you really want to drop from 1 to 8?

too many factors to consider this early on but I don’t like their chances of adding a bunch of draft capital unless they’re #1 overall. Once Ward (presumably) is off the board, I can’t imagine teams are going to give up big packages of picks for anyone else.

 

[E5 Yaz]

The Athletic mock (paywalled), projects the Patriots at 3 and selects

2. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Power, grace and dependability are a few ways to describe what we’ve seen from McMillan in three years at Arizona. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has three 10-catch games, two 200-yard games and 10 contested catches already this season (pushing his career contested catch total to a whopping 34). Drake Mayecould have fun with this.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5902443/2024/11/07/nfl-mock-draft-2025-travis-hunter-cam-ward/

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

The Athletic mock (paywalled), projects the Patriots at 3 and selects

2. New England Patriots: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Power, grace and dependability are a few ways to describe what we’ve seen from McMillan in three years at Arizona. The 6-foot-5, 212-pounder has three 10-catch games, two 200-yard games and 10 contested catches already this season (pushing his career contested catch total to a whopping 34). Drake Mayecould have fun with this.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5902443/2024/11/07/nfl-mock-draft-2025-travis-hunter-cam-ward/

Best hands in the league?

 

[koufax32]

I think there will always be demand for the #1 pick. I don’t think the demand for #2 - 5 will be as high though.

it also depends on how far the Pats want to drop. If Vegas (e.g.) is the team most willing to trade up but are drafting 8th, do you really want to drop from 1 to 8?

too many factors to consider this early on but I don’t like their chances of adding a bunch of draft capital unless they’re #1 overall. Once Ward (presumably) is off the board, I can’t imagine teams are going to give up big packages of picks for anyone else.

Just a reminder that PHI gave up #8, a 3rd, 4th, and future 1st to move to #2 to draft the immortal Carson Wentz. Point being, there’s always a market to move up for a QB.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

When folks have seen enough to have a point of view, I'm curious what this group thinks of Travis Hunter.

You see a certain amount of 'generational talent' and 'Hall of Fame-level prospect' talk and my default instinct is to seriously discount all of that

At the same time, if you grade him out as head-and-shoulders better than other guys who are going to go top five, and so two-or-three heads and shoulders better than the guys taken in the back half of the first round, then you can make a good argument for sitting tight and taking the guy

 

[Cellar-Door]

When folks have seen enough to have a point of view, I'm curious what this group thinks of Travis Hunter.

You see a certain amount of 'generational talent' and 'Hall of Fame-level prospect' talk and my default instinct is to seriously discount all of that

At the same time, if you grade him out as head-and-shoulders better than other guys who are going to go top five, and so two-or-three heads and shoulders better than the guys taken in the back half of the first round, then you can make a good argument for sitting tight and taking the guy

To me (I've seen I think 4 of his games).... I see a great cornerback and a pretty good WR. Incredible athlete, but when I watch him play CB I think he's special, when I watch him play WR I think he's... fine, but not elite

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

Sounds like someone Jerry Jones should trade all the future draft picks for

 

[NomarsFool]

And just like that we drop to 7.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

And just like that we drop to 7.

Still plenty of good players on the board at 7, including probably all the offensive linemen

 

[NomarsFool]

Yes, but if the Pats are at #1 they trade back to around 7 and get some additional picks/players as well. So, it makes a big difference

 

[NomarsFool]

And we are back to #6.

Looking at the 5 teams "ahead" of us with 2 wins:

Jacksonville: 2 games against Tennessee, NY Jets, Las Vegas, Indianapolis. That's 5 games where they have a reasonable shot at winning. 1 game against Houston, and you'd think a guaranteed loss against Detroit

NY Giants: 3 games against teams with losting record: Indianapolis, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, and Dallas. 1 game against Atlanta. And then 2 games they have little change of winning: Philadelphia, Baltimore. They could definitely lose out.

Tennessee: 2 games against Jacksonville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis. Like JAX, 5 games where they have a reasonable shot at winning. 1 game against Houston, and you'd think a guaranteed loss against Minnesota. The good news is that someone has to win those JAG/Titans' games.

Cleveland: With 2 games against Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Kansas City - that's 4 games they have little chance of winning. Only easier opponents are Miami, Cincinnati, and New Orleans. Then they have Denver which is .500. They could also very easily lose out.

Las Vegas: 4 games against teams with losing records. Miami, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, New Orleans. 3 against middling teams: Denver, LA Chargers, Atlanta. 1 game against Kansas City.

Patriots: 2 games against middling teams (LA Rams and Arizona). You can put LA Chargers into the slightly above middling category, I guess. So, maybe 3 games against mediocre teams. 2 games against Buffalo. Only real struggling teams are Miami (all depends on Tua, I'd say), Indianapolis. I don't think they lose out. They probably pick up a game or two.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

This may be the euphoria after a well-played win, but I can see us winning two of the four games again the Rams, Dolphins, Colts and the final Bills games of the season if Buffalo's seeding is set and the outcome doesn't matter to them

It's safe to pencil in loses to Arizona, the Chargers, and in the first Buffalo game. But stranger things have happened.

With how many teams are in about our same boat, 5-6 regular season wins means we could be picking anywhere from #2 to #11. Top ten feels like a safe bet. Top five is very much in play. But probably safer to expect something in the 4-8 range.

 

[cshea]

The Athletic/Brugler had a Top 50 released yesterday.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5910260/2024/11/12/nfl-draft-2025-prospect-rankings-dane-brugler/

Some Pats centric notes:

• 7 of the top 10 are defensive players (I'm counting Hunter as a CB since most pundits I've read think that's his better position but obviously he has 2-way potential)
• Cam Ward is the highest QB at 16, followed by Milroe and Sanders at 22 and 23. (Pats don't need one but if people are thing trade down)
• The top WR's are MacMillan (Arizona) and Burden (Missouri).
• The top OL are Campbell (LSU) and Banks (Texas) who are currently playing T but both have "might be a guard" caveats in their evaluation.

Obviously a long way to go in the evalutaion process but that's how the top of the draft is shaping up.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

So, some thoughts about the implications of all that, if we take (for the purposes of discussion) the scenario where Brugler is accurately reflecting where NFL front offices will end up with their evaluations by the draft*.

• The Patriots have two clear areas of need where getting a top performer usually calls for drafting them high. That's OT and a DT/DE who's disruptive in pass rush. We then need a WR1, where the top talent often emerges in a more scattered fashion out of the first few rounds.
• The lack of one or more clear top QB prospects significantly reduces the likelihood that the Pats could trade a top 5 pick for some big draft haul. Yes, there are always people who want to trade up. But you don't get the same bidding war for other great young players that you do for a great young QB
• I can't tell right now how big a difference there is between the mid-first round OTs-- like Will Campbell-- and the guys Brugler has in the mid-second round-- like Conerly or Ersery
• To my mind, the Pats need a receiver who can stretch the field vertically more than they need another receiver who projects to mostly work short-to-medium routes. So if you're thinking in terms of old-timey receiver roles, we're looking for someone who projects more like a Z than an X, F, or slot. Which isn't my read of how most of first round receivers project, if I'm following things right.

Putting that all together, if Bruger is right* in this ranking and if I could wave some magic wand I'd use it try and get some additional picks high in the second round to pick up multiple guys like Josh Simmons/Conerly/Ersery (OT), Tyler Booker/Wyatt Milum (OG), or Evan Stewart (WR)

And if we end up drafting in the second half of the top 10, then I think Mason Graham and Tetairoa McMillan are the two you look at hardest. And if both are off the table then I'm not sure the value/fit for us is there, and it's not better to trade down, perhaps for that additional pick in the second.


[*obvious disclaimer: things will shift and Brugler's board is not where the Pats or other NFL front offices will end up]

Edit/Update: Re: my 'trade down' point at the end... our team would be better off with every single player on it that Brugler has top ten. Since his top ten doesn't include a QB, we could take any of 'em and they'd start and make us better. So that's not my issue. I'm more nervous that drafting, say, a great LB like Jalon Walker with this pick doesn't move the needle for us as much as turning the pick into multiple chances to get guys who are better value/fit for us, given where they're drafted.

 

[Cellar-Door]

So, some thoughts about the implications of all that, if we take (for the purposes of discussion) the scenario where Brugler is accurately reflecting where NFL front offices will end up with their evaluations by the draft*.

• The Patriots have two clear areas of need where getting a top performer usually calls for drafting them high. That's OT and a DT/DE who's disruptive in pass rush. We then need a WR1, where the top talent often emerges in a more scattered fashion out of the first few rounds.
• The lack of one or more clear top QB prospects significantly reduces the likelihood that the Pats could trade a top 5 pick for some big draft haul. Yes, there are always people who want to trade up. But you don't get the same bidding war for other great young players that you do for a great young QB
• I can't tell right now how big a difference there is between the mid-first round OTs-- like Will Campbell-- and the guys Brugler has in the mid-second round-- like Conerly or Ersery
• To my mind, the Pats need a receiver who can stretch the field vertically more than they need another receiver who projects to mostly work short-to-medium routes. So if you're thinking in terms of old-timey receiver roles, we're looking for someone who projects more like a Z than an X, F, or slot. Which isn't my read of how most of first round receivers project, if I'm following things right.

Putting that all together, if Bruger is right* in this ranking and if I could wave some magic wand I'd use it try and get some additional picks high in the second round to pick up multiple guys like Josh Simmons/Conerly/Ersery (OT), Tyler Booker/Wyatt Milum (OG), or Evan Stewart (WR)

And if we end up drafting in the second half of the top 10, then I think Mason Graham and Tetairoa McMillan are the two you look at hardest. And if both are off the table then I'm not sure the value/fit for us is there, and it's not better to trade down, perhaps for that additional pick in the second.


[*obvious disclaimer: things will shift and Brugler's board is not where the Pats or other NFL front offices will end up]

Edit/Update: Re: my 'trade down' point at the end... our team would be better off with every single player on it that Brugler has top ten. Since his top ten doesn't include a QB, we could take any of 'em and they'd start and make us better. So that's not my issue. I'm more nervous that drafting, say, a great LB like Jalon Walker with this pick doesn't move the needle for us as much as turning the pick into multiple chances to get guys who are better value/fit for us, given where they're drafted.

One note... this is Brugler's big board NOT his projection of where guys will get drafted.
As an example, last year he had Fautanu at #9 on his big board as the 2nd OT, but he had him mocked 19th as the 5th OT, JJ was his 21st prospect but mocked at #5, Penix was 52nd but Mocked at 13.

So I would not take the ranks on his big board as where he thinks these guys will go. For example, I would guess if he put out a mock today, he'd have Campbell and Banks in the top 10 not mid-1st, and some or all of the guys like Simmons/Ersery/Conerly more likely in the 1st as well

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

One note... this is Brugler's big board NOT his projection of where guys will get drafted.
As an example, last year he had Fautanu at #9 on his big board as the 2nd OT, but he had him mocked 19th as the 5th OT, JJ was his 21st prospect but mocked at #5, Penix was 52nd but Mocked at 13.

So I would not take the ranks on his big board as where he thinks these guys will go. For example, I would guess if he put out a mock today, he'd have Campbell and Banks in the top 10 not mid-1st, and some or all of the guys like Simmons/Ersery/Conerly more likely in the 1st as well

Ah-- that's helpful. Might be less value to the exercise I was just doing then.

 

[BaseballJones]

Ran through a mock draft. Pats started at #6 and I traded down a couple of times. Here's what I ended up with:



Got lots of OL help in Campbell, Cornelius, and Hartwig - no idea if any of them would actually stick, but I'd sure hope Campbell at least could be a cornerstone OT for years. Need help at DT and got that. Defense was added at CB (Jackson and Alexander), hoping one of them would stick, and at S (Bassa) and EDGE (Dennis-Sutton). I was light on getting skill position help, but I think Gadsden is a taller, less criminally psychotic, Aaron Hernandez. He's a great athlete (I don't know what his measurable speed is but he plays fast and quick) and he's tall (6'5", 236). Terrific receiver. Could be a real weapon for the offense. And no idea what Sheppard could do but it was a mid-round pick on a WR.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Just a reminder that PHI gave up #8, a 3rd, 4th, and future 1st to move to #2 to draft the immortal Carson Wentz. Point being, there’s always a market to move up for a QB.

I don’t think anyone would have traded up to the top of the 1st for Kenny Pickett

not every class has QB’s worth moving way up for. This one has maybe 2 (Sanders, Ward) and maybe someone desperation trades to get a Milroe or Beck (though it’s just as likely those guys end up Day 2 guys)

It would be surprising if the Pats, at pick 4-6, had a big opportunity to move down.

as it is, I think as a prospect, Wentz would be a top 2-3 QB in this class maybe #1 overall.

 

[Cellar-Door]

I don’t think anyone would have traded up to the top of the 1st for Kenny Pickett

not every class has QB’s worth moving way up for. This one has maybe 2 (Sanders, Ward) and maybe someone desperation trades to get a Milroe or Beck (though it’s just as likely those guys end up Day 2 guys)

It would be surprising if the Pats, at pick 4-6, had a big opportunity to move down.

as it is, I think as a prospect, Wentz would be a top 2-3 QB in this class maybe #1 overall.

Beck is a day 2 guy. If they come out Milroe and Nussmeier are the other potential 1st rounders. I will say everyone I trust on QB evals and draft projections thinks it's a messy QB class and nowhere near as good as last year.... but not Kenny Pickett year bad. I think most people think there will be 2 QBs in the top 10.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

I will say everyone I trust on QB evals and draft projections thinks it's a messy QB class and nowhere near as good as last year.... most people think there will be 2 QBs in the top 10.

Yeah, this is what I'm hearing as well (and maybe we're listening to the same people)

I don't know if this is true, but I've been telling myself that if there is a trade down scenario for the Pats it would probably be something like: we have a pick in the 5-7 range, the first QB has gone off the Board, there are 2-3 teams that want the second, we make a deal with one of them to move down something like 5 spots and pick up some future picks.

So, no giant haul and only worth it if the Pats see the player they'd take at 5-7 and more or less the same as the player they'd take at 10-12

 

[finnVT]

Yeah, this is what I'm hearing as well (and maybe we're listening to the same people)

I don't know if this is true, but I've been telling myself that if there is a trade down scenario for the Pats it would probably be something like: we have a pick in the 5-7 range, the first QB has gone off the Board, there are 2-3 teams that want the second, we make a deal with one of them to move down something like 5 spots and pick up some future picks.

So, no giant haul and only worth it if the Pats see the player they'd take at 5-7 and more or less the same as the player they'd take at 10-12

I think the counter here is that if they end up in the 4-7 range (which seems possible, though the range of outcomes is huge right now... feels like anywhere in the top 15 is possible), then the board is shaping up to have the top options be guys that play positions they really need. I'm assuming that Sanders & Ward probably both end up in the top 3, even if they don't necessarily fetch a huge draft pick haul from teams needing a QB, and seems like Hunter might be up somewhere in that mix too. After those, you have guys like OT Campbell, WR McMillian, and DLs Carter and Graham, who seem likely to all be in the mix in that next batch and would all seem like potentially really nice additions for the Pats. Maybe there's enough of those guys that they feel comfortable moving down a few spots, but having the opportunity to add a top WR, OL, or DL option would be hard to pass up.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

I think the counter here is that if they end up in the 4-7 range (which seems possible, though the range of outcomes is huge right now... feels like anywhere in the top 15 is possible), then the board is shaping up to have the top options be guys that play positions they really need... having the opportunity to add a top WR, OL, or DL option would be hard to pass up.

Well, right

You're describing a scenario where the player available 5-7 projects to make a bigger impact for us than whoever we would get at 10-12, which is the scenario where it doesn't make sense to trade down. But maybe I didn't put that clearly as I could have.

 

[BigJimEd]

Yeah, this is what I'm hearing as well (and maybe we're listening to the same people)

I don't know if this is true, but I've been telling myself that if there is a trade down scenario for the Pats it would probably be something like: we have a pick in the 5-7 range, the first QB has gone off the Board, there are 2-3 teams that want the second, we make a deal with one of them to move down something like 5 spots and pick up some future picks.

So, no giant haul and only worth it if the Pats see the player they'd take at 5-7 and more or less the same as the player they'd take at 10-12

Similar to the Josh Allen trade who was the 3rd QB taken that year. TB picked up two 2nd rounders to move down to 12 from 7. Obviously, as mentioned, it depends on the board but that could be a solid deal for the Patriots.

Of course, TB would have been much better off going with Allen then sticking with Winston but that's a different discussion.

 

[Jimbodandy]

It's not just a QB that people dream on. I haven't studied this draft that much outside of OTs, but there's always the next great Edge or CB or WR that some team thinks is that guy who will put them over the top. The payout isn't as high as franchise QB lottery picks but it'll still afford opportunities to trade down and acquire quantity.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

It's not just a QB that people dream on. I haven't studied this draft that much outside of OTs, but there's always the next great Edge or CB or WR that some team thinks is that guy who will put them over the top. The payout isn't as high as franchise QB lottery picks but it'll still afford opportunities to trade down and acquire quantity.

Absolutely

A thing that won't-happen-but-is-along-these-lines that popped into my head the other day-- while listening to the rolling melodrama out of Dallas-- was a scenario where Jerry Jones decides his big splash this next off-season is going to be drafting both Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, and then bringing Deion back home to coach. Jones' need to make big, flamboyant news that doesn't necessarily result in good football is the kind of thing that could result in him paying a small ransom to somebody for a second high draft pick.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

Yeah, this is what I'm hearing as well (and maybe we're listening to the same people)

I don't know if this is true, but I've been telling myself that if there is a trade down scenario for the Pats it would probably be something like: we have a pick in the 5-7 range, the first QB has gone off the Board, there are 2-3 teams that want the second, we make a deal with one of them to move down something like 5 spots and pick up some future picks.

So, no giant haul and only worth it if the Pats see the player they'd take at 5-7 and more or less the same as the player they'd take at 10-12

This part seems pretty uncertain as people seem down on the top end talent in this draft in general. He can correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember @SMU_Sox saying that there might be only ten guys with a bona fide first round grade in this draft a while back and only a few elite talents.

I'm all for accumulating draft picks but priority #1 has to be adding top end talent to this roster, preferably somewhere on offense.

 

[Eric Fernsten's Disco Mustache]

I'm all for accumulating draft picks but priority #1 has to be adding top end talent to this roster, preferably somewhere on offense.

Completely agree

It's absolutely true that before the start of the college football season people were down on the depth of first round talent in this draft.

And it'll be interesting to see to what degree that has changed by mid-March. Some guys who'll be in the draft haven't looked as strong as people were hoping. Others that were late-round-or-not-at-all projections are now getting a lot of buzz.

All of our discussion about draft and trade-down scenarios is premature for at least another three months. Not that we're going to stop doing it....