Patriots trade No. 1 pick, take cornerback whose traits ‘scream NFL star’ in 2025 ESPN mock draft
ESPN's Field Yates has the Patriots trading the No. 1 pick to the Giants in exchange for multiple picks, including No. 6.
The Patriots are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season, and ESPN’s Field Yates has the franchise getting the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft in his latest 2025 NFL mock draft.
However, Yates also has the Patriots using the pick to trade down and collect more assets for their rebuild.
The projected deal has New England picking up multiple picks from the Giants while moving down from No. 1 to No. 6.
The Giants get a potential replacement for quarterback Daniel Jones, drafting Georgia quarterback Carson Beck No. 1 overall in this scenario. New York attempted to trade up with the Patriots last year, but New England stuck with the No. 3 pick to take quarterback Drake Maye.
Meanwhile, Yates has the Patriots using the No. 6 pick on a position where they’re already quite deep – cornerback. They used last year’s first round pick to draft cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and have veterans Jonathan Jones and Marcus Jones at the position. Alex Austin, Isaiah Bolden, and Marco Wilson have shown flashes during training camp and are fighting to carve out roles.
Yates has the Patriots tacking Michigan cornerback Will Johnson, whom he says could create a “lethal duo” with Gonzalez. He opened his comments about the Johnson pick by saying that the Patriots are more likely to address their need at left tackle.
But, he has the Broncos taking Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. at No. 3 and said he’s not convinced that the Patriots are high enough on the other tackles in the class to pass up on Johnson. Johnson’s measurables and physicality “scream NFL star,” according to Yates.
Yates has four offensive tackles going in the first round: Banks, LSU’s Will Campbell (No. 10 overall), LSU’s Emery Jones (No. 16 overall), and Arizona’s Jonah Savaiinea (No. 21 overall).
The Patriots also have a need for a No. 1 receiver. Yates does not have any receivers in his top-10. Colorado’s Travis Hunter (No. 11 overall), Arizona’s Tetrairoa McMillan (No. 13 overall), and Missouri’s Luther Burden (No. 19 overall) went the highest at the receiver position.
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