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Patriots Projected to Fill 'Massive Need' in Draft

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matthew Davis | Last updated Apr 14, 2025 4:00 PM ET

The New England Patriots enter this month's draft with a plethora of needs, but the team can fill one "massive need" right off the bat.

CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan projects the Patriots to select Penn State edge Abdul Carter with the No. 4 pick in his latest mock draft. Sullivan believes the Patriots can land Carter if Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders gets selected before the Patriots are on the clock.

"Regardless of whether that's the (New York) Giants or (Cleveland) Browns who take him, I think Travis Hunter is the next player off the board, leaving New England with Carter," Sullivan wrote. "The Penn State star has the ceiling of being one of the best pass rushers in the entire NFL once he develops. He also will fill a massive need for the Patriots, who were last in the league in sacks in 2024."

Carter, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect, dominated at Penn State last season with 12 sacks, 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and four pass deflections. Overall, Carter had 23 sacks, 172 tackles, 41 tackles for loss, 13 pass deflections, and an interception in 42 career games over three seasons with the Nittany Lions.

While the Patriots have additional needs on defense, Sullivan projected the Patriots to go with offense for most of the remaining picks. His mock draft has New England selecting offensive tackle Josh Conerly in round two and wide receiver Jack Bech and running back Cam Skattebo in round three.

Sullivan projects the Patriots will switch back to defense in round four to take cornerback Jacob Parrish and again in round seven to take defensive lineman Cam Horsley. Otherwise, Sullivan sees the Patriots adding offensive lineman Jackson Slater and tight end Mitchell Evans in round five, plus kicker Andres Borregales in round seven.

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

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