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NFL Analyst Says Patriots May Trade Back In NFL Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Coby Leibowitz | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 3:30 PM ET

The Patriots have been weighing their options on what to do with their first-round pick in this year's draft. They drafted their guy at quarterback last year so they are out of the Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward sweepstakes, so their top options seemed to be Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter, or Will Campbell.

This was at least the case until recent reports of Ward and Sanders possibly dropping, and players like Hunter and Carter possibly going top three. This led to recent rumors of the Patriots possibly trading back if their guy is gone and they don't want to reach. However, how true these rumors maybe has been up for debate.

ESPN Analyst and draft expert Mel Kiper Jr recently gave his thoughts on whether the Patriots may take some calls for the fourth overall pick in this year's draft. Kiper recently did a mock draft where the exact scenario just explained happened. He predicted Tennessee taking their pass rusher of the future with the first pick and taking Carter, followed by the Browns taking Ward, and then Hunter going to the Giants to round out the top three.

Kiper declared "This is a trade-back spot if something presents itself. Carter and Hunter are off the board, and one of the top two quarterbacks is still available. I'd bet the Patriots will be getting a few calls if the board falls this way, and I'm sure they'll be very interested given the holes on their roster."

The Patriots could take Campbell here, but if given the ability to trade down in the round and get either another pick or player could be a brilliant move by the Patriots. They can still get a really good lineman later in the round or draft, and be able to fill another hole like receiver or defensive line.

The NFL draft is not until April so they have time to think. However, with the combine coming up they will soon get some answers on what their best move is.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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