NFL Analyst Suggests Top Patriots Draft Target After Mike Vrabel Hire

The New England Patriots got started with rebuilding their sideline staff by welcoming new head coach Mike Vrabel aboard Sunday, but that’s just the first step of what should be a busy offseason.

New England sits over three months away from yet another critical decision on the horizon. The Patriots secured the No. 4 overall selection in April’s NFL draft, allowing executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and Vrabel to land an impactful young talent. Last year it was Drake Maye, but even the 22-year-old’s impressive rookie year wasn’t enough to get the Patriots back into contention mode in the AFC East.

So, who should the Patriots eye in the meantime?

“If the Patriots can plug some holes on offense through free agency…Give Vrabel Abdul Carter and watch out,” ESPN’s Matt Miller suggested on X Sunday.

Carter just concluded his junior season at Penn State and the defensive end is ready for the next step in his career. The 20-year-old ended his college career totaling 172 tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss, 23 sacks, five forced fumbles and an interception. Carter became a first-time All-American, coming off a solid 2024 season in which he notched 68 tackles with 12 sacks. He’s also the first player from Penn State to declare for the draft after the team’s Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame last Thursday.

The last first consensus All-America selection from Penn State was Saquon Barkley, the second overall selection in the 2018 draft.