My first try today at the
PFN mock draft tool, which has been updated so NE is picking 4th.
1. Ten - Cam Ward
2. Cle - Travis Hunter
3. NYG - Shedeur Sanders
So now NE is on the clock. When I did this the other day with NE at #1, the trade offers that came in were tremendous. Today, there's one offer: Seattle is offering #18, #50, #82, a 2026 2nd rounder, and a 2026 3rd rounder for the #4 pick. So that's Sea's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks in 2025, plus their 2nd and 3rd round pick in 2026.
Tempting, as this rebuild for the Pats could be a few years in the making. But it drops NE a long way in this first round. So I'm going to decline it. Looking at the options, one guy sticks out to me:
Tetairoa McMillan
WR Arizona
Height: 6 - 5 |Weight: 210 lbs |RAS: N/A
It feels almost unfair to leave just one defensive back on Tetairoa McMillan. At 6'5" and 212 pounds, he dominates with size and physicality, but it’s his sneaky speed, precision routes, and ability to win at the catch point that truly set him apart. Whether creating separation or out-muscling defenders, McMillan delivers in key moments. Think of him as a blend of Mike Evans' strength and Randy Moss' catch-point mastery, and it’s easy to see why he’s such a coveted prospect.
Reading that scouting report, McMillan, he looks like a can't miss prospect. Excellent speed. Terrific size and strength. Excellent route-runner that gets tons of separation, but also makes tons of contested catches as well. That last line - a combo of Evans and Moss - I mean, holy cow.
I know NE needs OL, DL, and a bunch of other stuff, but this guy appears to be universally regarded as a true WR1 stud in the NFL.So I'm grabbing him and massively upgrading the offense (I hope).
Now I get to NE's second round pick. Two trade offers - one from Pit and one from Det. Each one offers their 2nd rounder plus each team's 2nd and 3rd rounders in 2026. I'm keeping the pick again and this time I'm grabbing DT Walter Nolan from Ole Miss. I'm hopeful Barmore will be back and healthy, but they need to be much better up front on defense and this guy is a monster.
Third round pick, #68. Pit offers their #84 and #95 picks for NE's #68 and a 2026 5th rounder. I'm accepting this offer, and now we come to NE's #77. GB now offers me #88 and #125 for my #77. I accept that one as well.
When I get to #84, Baltimore offers me #91 and #127 in exchange for #84 and #216. I accept that one as well.
So now I've got #88, #91, #95, #106, #125, #127, #142, #219, and #240. That's a lot of potential quality from #88 through #142. Seven picks over that span. Here we go.
I actually do something surprising here at #88 and grab RB Nicholas Singleton from Penn State. He's explosive, and the Pats need explosive players. Plus, I'm ready to move on from Rhamondre, who I am looking to trade.
#88 - RB Singleton
#92 - OT Greene III from Georgia
#95 - TE Helm from Texas
#106 - TE Gadsen from Syracuse (totally revamping my TE position with guys who have elite skills)
With those four picks, plus McMillan, I've massively upgraded at all three skill positions plus offensive line. Maye has a lot more to work with, and I think the offense can take a giant leap forward next year.
Now at #125, with #127, and #142 to follow, I need to focus on defense, since that was a catastrophe this past season.
#125 - LB Barham from Michigan - explosive player, especially if he's rushing
#127 - S Bassa from Oregon - really need help at the S position
#142 - CB Dixon from Washington - love Gonzales and Jonathan Jones but need help at CB too
Now for my last two picks, it's just best player available.
#219 - EDGE Joyner from Minnesota - at 6'5", he could pose real problems rushing the passer
#240 - CB Taylor from Vanderbilt
So here's the results:
View attachment 94320
I think the offense improves a ton with McMillan, Singleton, Greene, Helm, and Gadsden, but we also address every level of the defense with DT, LB, S, EDGE, and CB (2x).
Obviously the odds are that most of these guys won't pan out. But I'm looking to reboot the organization, and I'd give these guys a real shot. If that means jettisoning a bunch of veterans, so be it.