The New England Patriots face crucial decisions with the No. 4 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. This article analyzes their top needs and explores potential prospects at wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback, and edge rusher.
The two most obvious paths for the New England Patriots with the No. 4 pick are wide receiver and offensive tackle. These are arguably the two biggest areas of need as the team aims to bolster the offensive line around rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The only wide receiver worth considering at that spot is Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, who racked up 84 receptions for 1,389 yards and eight touchdowns for the Wildcats.
He possesses good speed, excels in route running, and boasts impressive size and strength at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds. The Patriots struggled with pass protection last season, and both Campbell and Banks are standout performers in that area. Banks played a crucial role in the Longhorns' run to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Cornerback is another priority need, and Michigan star Will Johnson is projected to be a top-10 pick. He has been a dominant shutdown corner for the Wolverines and was instrumental in their 2023 national championship. Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter could also address a critical need for the Patriots. New England's pass rush was underwhelming this season, finishing last in sacks with only 28 in 18 games. Carter or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham would significantly improve the Patriots' pass rush. As the Patriots' Week 18 victory over the Bills dropped them from the No. 1 overall pick to No. 4, and they subsequently fired head coach Jerod Mayo, the direction of their rebuild around Maye might shift. Nevertheless, the desire to upgrade their offensive line, which had statistically the worst performance, should remain a top priority. Campbell may be viewed as a guard by some teams, but his three years of starting experience at tackle at LSU suggest he deserves a shot at tackle in the NFL. Regardless, he is a highly talented lineman who would be an immediate starter for the Patriots
PATRIOTS DRAFT OFFENSIVE LINE WIDE RECEIVER CORNERBACK
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