Despite being one of the most active teams in free agency thanks to their cap space, the New England Patriots still have holes to fill on their roster. With the NFL Draft only three days away, the Patriots have an excellent opportunity with their nine selections to upgrade the remaining weaknesses ahead of the new season.
The first two days of the draft present the best opportunity for teams to find true difference-makers. The Patriots have four picks in the first three rounds of the draft, which they will likely use on an offensive lineman, a defensive lineman, and a wide receiver.
It also looks like the Patriots will have a chance to add even more draft picks. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there are teams in the draft who are looking to trade up.
Saints already have made exploratory calls about trading up in the second round, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2025
This, and other insights, in our annual ESPN draft intel column.https://t.co/7X6U85FDa4
Patriots Could Trade With the Saints to Add More Draft Picks
Schefter reported that the Denver Broncos in the first round and the New Orleans Saints in the second round are looking to move up. A potential deal with the Saints is especially interesting for the Patriots.
New England has the 38th-overall pick in the draft, two ahead of the Saints. If New Orleans has a player in mind that they are worried the Patriots or the Bears (#39) may select, they will be willing to trade more draft assets to New England to move up two slots.
This way, GM Eliot Wolf could add another mid-round or late-round draft pick to his coffers. The Patriots need to buy as many lottery tickets as possible as they try to find long-term contributors in multiple positions. Since this is a class that is generally considered weak, the Patriots may be able to find similar-level talents later in the draft than they would in early rounds.