The Patriots are in an advantageous draft position, but their opportunities at No. 4 overall will be determined by how the first three picks shake out.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano provided intel on one of those selections in a column published Sunday. The Browns are slated to make the second-overall pick after the Tennessee Titans kick off the 2025 draft, and those around the league seem to believe they know how Cleveland will utilize the asset.
“The overwhelming belief of the people I spoke to this week is that the Browns plan to stay put at No. 2 in the draft and take one of the top quarterbacks,” Graziano wrote. “Their preference between Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders is unclear, but if one goes at No. 1, I believe they’d be OK with taking the other.”
So, what does Graziano’s report mean for the Patriots?
If Mike Vrabel and company want to focus on defense in the early rounds of the draft, the intel was tremendous news. If the Browns do select a quarterback at No. 2, it increases New England’s chances of drafting one of the two best defensive players in the entire draft class: Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter. Carter, specifically, might be a dream target for a Patriots team that would greatly benefit from a standout pass-rusher.
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However, if New England is hoping to trade down in Round 1 to stockpile draft capital, Graziano’s report was not encouraging. The Patriots probably will only be able to do so if either Ward or Sanders is available at No. 4, and the Browns taking a signal-caller second overall wouldn’t bode well for that scenario.
One way or another, New England will make a franchise-altering decision April 24. But Vrabel and company will be forced to play the hand they’re dealt after the first three picks are made.
Featured image via Kirby Lee/Imagn Images
