With surprising wins today by the Giants and Raiders, the top of the draft order was shaken up once more. The Raiders, now on a two-game winning streak, have plummeted from a top-two pick to No. 8 overall, and a win by the Giants knocked the Colts out of playoff contention and knocked New York down three draft slots to No. 4 overall. Here’s a quick look at some other consequences of today’s games. 
Today’s wins and losses have now placed New England in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall spot. If the Patriots lose in their season finale to the Bills, they will secure the rights to the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This opens up a number of possibilities for New England. The Patriots have holes on the offensive line, receiving corps, pass rush, and cornerbacks group.
For some time, the top picks have been projected to be Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, but with no need to draft a quarterback with a top pick for the second year in a row, the Patriots are poised to shake things up. With no elite options at offensive line in this year’s draft class, they could go for Heisman-winning athlete Travis Hunter from Colorado, who could fill holes at both cornerback and receiver. Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan is another top receiver option who projects as a stronger receiving prospect than Hunter. They could also go for Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, though that would seem like a bit of a reach in the top spot.
The other option available to New England opens the door for any of the quarterback-needy teams to trade up into the No. 1 overall pick. The Titans (No. 2), Browns (No. 3), and Giants all have interest in adding a top quarterback to the roster. One of these teams may pursue that quarterback through free agency with Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, and Kirk Cousins all currently on their way to free agency. If not, they can take a chance and hope to land Ward or Sanders in their current slots.
They may also want to keep an eye on teams like the Panthers (No. 6), Jets (No. 7), and Raiders, though, as all of those teams may have interest in trading into the top draft slot. All three of those teams have quarterback situations that could greatly benefit from the addition of Ward or Sanders, and the Patriots could likely still fill a major need — even offensive line — after moving back later in the top-10 picks. It would also make selections like Carter or Michigan cornerback Will Johnson seem like less of a reach.
There are way too many possibilities to speculate on from this situation at this point in time, but New England’s prospective hold on the No. 1 overall pick introduces a litany of fun potential outcomes. They will need to close it out with a home defeat at the hands of the Bills next week, but the chaos from today’s games has provided plenty for draft nerds to drool over in the days to come.
Trade down to 4/5 grab McMillan and a extra 1st and Second would be absolutely perfect for them
That’s make sense if there was a guy worth trading up for but there really isn’t. Patriots have their qb in Maye might as well just take Hunter 1st overall
All it takes is one top five team that wants one particular QB for New England to score draft capital and get either McMillan or their choice of OL.
And knowing NE isn’t taking a QB teams can
Opt to trade up to 2 or 3 and pay less
Will teams trade up? Sure. Won’t be with NE when you can trade up to 2 take take your choice of QB.
Will titans take a QB? Probably
Doubt Cleveland takes a QB cause they’re trying to appease garret so they’re more likely to trade out than anyone in top 5 cause of Watson contract
If New England is willing to trade out, then they have leverage. And why would trading out appease Garrett?
A team will come up to 1 for a QB. Too many needy teams need one and someone will pay up to take a shot at one. Ward and Sanders will be off the board in the top 2 picks.
They’d be insane not to draft Travis hunter
Honestly, if I’m the GM of any team picking first overall, I’d take Hunter, unless someone offered me a dramatic overpay for the pick. I believe he’ll be that big of a difference maker for someone. If I’m picking for the Patriots though, and I already took a QB, that decision is even easier.
You don’t need to come up to 1 for a QB though. NE isn’t taking one.
You can trade up to 2 or 3 depending how free agency plays out and pay less.
Say Titans land Sam Darnold (#2 pick) they’re not taking a QB so you can look at 3. Cle probably isn’t taking a QB they’re likely to trade out get more picks cause Watson contract hinders their FA ability so they could use a flurry of picks to fill holes.
Really no reason a team should be trading up to 1 when patriots aren’t taking a QB. Wait till draft day and how free agency plays out . Be a lot cheaper of a price getting your choice at QB at 3 than 1
My favorite part in all this is all year ppl on this very site have said “this Qb draft class sucks” and now the holder of number 1 has delusions of grandeur about teams trading a kings ransom for Ward or Sanders.
Dude…. you keep stating that the Patriots are not taking a QB…. which is correct….. but you are neglecting to understand that if there are 3 teams that want the top guy, they are going to want to get in front of the teams picking 2 through 4 that also want that guy.
What teams should consider that need a QB is to trade with Minnesota who more than likely will sign Darnold… and they may consider JJ McCarthy at that point as the best QB available versus Sanders or Ward.
Trade down to giants at 3 and get multiple firsts and hunter.
That would just give Tennessee all the leverage to trade back to someone who wants hunter (everyone)
Shedeur isn’t a lock to go top 5 by any means , and Hunter dropping to 3 in any scenario is a stretch
nah, titans are taking a QB. either ward or sanders, whoever is left. no way they continue going forward with the disaster at qb they currently have. hunter going 3 is very possible.
I think the Titans will go hard after Darnold.
I think the Vikings tag him tbh … unless they win the SB, then it becomes a whole different scenario where they could trade JJ for some picks.
Trade down for picks and a veteran LT. Giants Andrew Thomas or Raiders Kolton Miller.
Next week’s game could be the worst Bills/Pats matchup ever. Buffalo will likely keep as many of its top players on the bench as possible (other than the obligatory first drives) and New England will have more to lose by winning.
Yeah, it’s definitely not a given that the Pats lose this game, though after seeing some of their games this season, I expect Mitch Trubisky to put up 400 yards and connect for multiple TDs with the water boy.
The Pats should just have Maye & Brissett come down with some mystery ouchies and throw Bazooka Joe Milton out there to get him some reps.
Whatever the Patriots do, if it’s the current leadership, it will be screwed up. No way do I trust those fools to make the correct decision.
NYG dropping 45 on INDY was the biggest surprise of this week’s games. Why?
Bill Belichick would trade back for 6 4th round picks
This is not the year to have the top overall pick. No sure fire “gotta have that QB” in this class. I think a few of these qb draft prospects have JaMarcus Russell bust possibilities written all over them.
I don’t think there are any elite quarterback prospects in this draft, but I’m not sure we’ll ever see a Russell level bust again.
I feel the Patriots will trade down for extra picks unless they want to try to match Hunter with Tee Higgins. The Titans may go for Hunter or Ward–Sanders wants a big market team–but may trade down themselves for the best right tackle prospects. Darnold would be intriguing but we will see.
Higgins would be crazy to sign with the Patriots when he’ll likely get sizable offers from some top teams with proven leadership and QBs. Maye looks promising but it’s still early in his progression and Mayo may not keep his job, and if he does, that team looks a lot less interesting