The Patriots “would be happy” with using the fourth overall pick in April’s draft on Colorado receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter or Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, per ESPN’s Matt Miller.
Both are considered blue-chip prospects in a class with a wide range of evaluations, which is why it’s no certainty that they’ll even be available when New England is on the clock. Another team would likely need to select Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in the top three.
If that doesn’t happen, the Patriots will be considering a wider range of options with the No. 4 pick, including a potential trade down with a team trying to acquire Sanders.
“If somebody has an offer for us, I think we’d be willing to listen,” said head coach Mike Vrabel (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss).
Vrabel also said that the team is looking to add a “premium” talent in the first round, but if Hunter and Carter are off the board, they might trade back to land another coveted prospect and gain additional draft capital.
The Patriots’ list of targets – either at No. 4 or later in the first round – could include LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham, who have both visited New England. Campbell in particular has been frequently linked with the Patriots due to their need along the offensive line and his potential culture fit with Vrabel.
The team has also “done a lot of work” on Missouri’s Armand Membou, per Miller. He is Campbell’s primary competition to be the first offensive linemen selected this year, and the Patriots are interested in both players.
Georgia’s Jalon Walker could also fit the playmaking mold that Vrabel is looking to add to the Patriots defense, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. The hybrid linebacker can line up off-ball or on the edge and brings leadership skills and a mentality that Vrabel will appreciate.
Knew I should’ve bet on Ashton Jeanty top 5 pick while it was still +1500.
That would be an insane overreach.
Can we please rename it from the ‘Patriot Way’ to ‘Tom Brady’s Way’? NE was nothing before or after Tom same can be said for Tampa.
Arty what a farty take!
Buc Nasty is that you?
Umm Tampa won a Superbowl before Brady got there and had a pretty strong run both before and after Gruden.
They’re also a playoff team with Baker.
So yeah, no.
still have 6 rings and scoreboard…
lol I just love that the Pats and BB still live rent free in haters heads.
so funny.
probably a Jets or cowboy fan
Call it what you want, Mr. Clown.
I think the Patriots, much like the Cowboys, should trade back and get extra picks.
If Hunter and Carter are both gone by 4, they have to trade back. I just hope somebody is stupid enough to grab Sanders in the top 3, but I don’t see it happening. I still can’t believe the Pats beat the Bills in week 17 to put themselves in this mess, dropping from 1 to 4.
I agree. Sanders is not worth that high of a pick. Not even close.
And despite what Monday morning quarterbacks think, wins are important for a young team in need of leadership and developing winning habits. Any team playing for draft slot is probably not gonna be good anytime soon.
I think you agreed with my first part (Sanders isn’t worth a top 3 pick), but you disagreed with my second part (I hate that they won that last game!). That win set them back a year in their rebuild, since they could’ve traded down from 1 to 4 and picked up another 1st had they lost. That win cost them a first rounder, and nobody cares that they got 4 wins instead of 3. Many of those players are gone anyway.