The 2025 NFL offseason has been filled with change for the New England Patriots, who are entering a new era with head coach Mike Vrabel at the helm. Vrabel's arrival has already produced changes across the coaching staff, while major player-related moves are right around the corner as free agency and the NFL draft loom.
When it comes to the NFL draft, the Patriots will have plenty of opportunities to inject new blood into Vrabel's roster. New England currently has nine draft selections at its disposal — including this year's No. 4 pick.
The Patriots can certainly draft an impact player with the No. 4 pick, however, some fans have floated around the idea of the team potentially trading back to improve its stock. Assuming that's the path executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf wants to go down, the perfect trade partner just became available.
Patriots Swap 1st Round Picks With Raiders in Mock NFL Draft Trade
The Las Vegas Raiders — who hold the sixth overall pick — are one team the Patriots must contact if they don't want to trade back too far in the draft. Drafting a legitimate quarterback prospect is one of the Raiders' top priorities, and the team could be willing to move up in the draft if they're worried about losing 'their guy.'
With that in mind, it certainly sounds like Raiders general manager John Spytek is open to a deal.
"I wouldn't rule out (trading up). I try to be an open-minded person," Spytek said at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 25, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur. "If it makes sense for the Raiders, we'll do it. If it doesn't, we won't."
John Spytek on Raiders trading up in the draft: pic.twitter.com/ShFo17U51G
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 25, 2025
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how a potential Patriots-Raiders swap would benefit both sides.
Unlike Las Vegas, New England's quarterback room is set after adding Drake Maye last April. That means the Patriots can afford to trade back from No. 4 to help stockpile more picks to flesh out the roster. The good news for Wolf & Co. is that the Raiders have nine other picks to pair with the sixth-overall selection to help get a deal done.
In terms of the Raiders, a potential trade with the Patriots means that Spytek likely wouldn't have to obliterate his draft assets. Only two selections separate the AFC franchises, so it wouldn't be shocking if Las Vegas only had to send a Day 2 pick New England's way to swap first-round positions.
The Raiders currently hold a trio of Day 2 picks, with the best being the 37th overall selection. Pairing No. 37 alongside No. 6 should be more than enough to satisfy the Patriots, who'd be able to add a potentially first-round-caliber prospect with the additional second-rounder.
With the Raiders open to making a deal, the Patriots can't waste another second. Other GMs will blow up Spytek's phone more often as the draft nears, so it's in Wolf's best interest to hammer something out now before another team approaches Las Vegas with a better offer.
At the end of the day, the Patriots must give Vrabel all the tools he needs to succeed in his first year behind the bench. Swapping first-round picks with the Raiders while adding a second-rounder along the way could be the difference between the Pats making and missing the 2025 NFL playoffs.