NFL Analyst Proposes First-Round Draft Trade Idea For Patriots

Mike Vrabel on Monday confirmed the Patriots are open to the idea of trading down from the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

New England did exactly that in a special mock draft put out by ESPN’s Bill Barnwell on Monday, and in doing so, the Patriots addressed a major need.

Barnwell released an all-trades mock, which has transactions going from No. 1 overall all the way through pick 32. For the Patriots, the NFL scribe suggested New England traded the fourth pick and guard Cole Strange to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for the 11th pick and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

“In a draft without many upper-echelon receiving prospects, the Patriots could try to cut the line and get quarterback Drake Maye a running mate alongside new signing Stefon Diggs,” Barnwell wrote. “They were reportedly interested in Aiyuk a year ago, and despite his extension with the 49ers, rumors about his availability have continued this spring.”

Barnwell added: “Having signed Diggs to a three-year deal, the Patriots would go from having the league’s worst receiving corps to one with top-10 potential overnight. Diggs’ deal has only $26 million guaranteed, which suggests he might be on the move as early as next offseason. Aiyuk, 27, would be around for years to come as part of a four-year deal with $110 million remaining. By moving down to No. 11, New England would hope to still be in position to add Will Campbell (LSU) or Armand Membou (Missouri) to its offensive line. Landing a left tackle, Diggs and Aiyuk would represent a dream offseason for Maye and the Pats.”

Barnwell’s hypothetical probably is one New England should at least consider if San Francisco was up for it. However, in this scenario, Barnwell believes the Niners would be able to grab Travis Hunter at No. 4. So, the Patriots would need to decide if they prefer Aiyuk on the current terms of his contract and coming off a serious injury or potentially five years (at least) of Hunter on a rookie deal.

Again, there’s a chance John Lynch and company would have no interest in Barnwell’s idea. However, the hypothetical reinforced the notion that the fourth pick might open the door to a ton of opportunities for New England.