3 Draft-Day Trades the Patriots Can Make Using the No. 3 Pick

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons Receive: No. 3 pick, 2025 5th round pick

Patriots Receive: No. 8 pick, 2025 1st Round pick, 2025 3rd Round Pick, QB Desmond Ridder

Atlanta is in that weird spot where the roster is good everywhere except the most important position - quarterback. They’ve built a talented offense, and a poor 2022 defense got much better in 2023. A team can only go as far as its quarterback takes them, though, and the Falcons have gotten next-to-nothing from Ridder, Marcus Mariota, and a handful of others. Moving to three gives them an opportunity to net a quarterback who can be the final step in their rebuild.

Again, it wouldn’t be cheap, and Atlanta might be content selecting whichever quarterback falls to them at #8. If they struggle next year, losing a 2025 1st would be a tough pill to swallow, and a 3rd in that same draft would only add insult to injury. Losing Ridder is less troublesome, though, and would earn them some additional compensation in the form of a late-round pick from New England.

This is an offer that the Patriots might be hard-pressed to refuse. Getting another high-quality 1st, a 3rd, and a lottery-ticket QB for moving down five spots seems like an excellent value, and opens up New England’s options going forward. If they like Penix or McCarthy (who should both be around at #8) or don’t feel great about drafting a QB this year, this is the trade to make. Giving the talented albeit deeply flawed Ridder a change of scenery could prove valuable, too.