Rob Gronkowski Makes Passionate Draft Pick Plea To Patriots

Rob Gronkowski really, really doesn’t want the Patriots to move off one of their first picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.

And no, we’re not talking about New England trading back from the No. 4 selection.

On the latest episode of the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast, Julian Edelman informed Gronkowski that New England currently owns the 69th overall pick next month. Even the most casual Patriots fan knows Gronkowski has an affinity for that number, so Edelman suggested the legendary tight end should announce that selection for New England in Green Bay.

Gronk’s all for that plan, but Edelman jokingly suggested Mike Vrabel could trade the pick just so the four-time Super Bowl champion wouldn’t steal the Patriots’ shine early in the third round. That led to Gronkowski making a plea to his former team.

“Yeah, Vrabel wouldn’t like that. He’d be like, ‘Gronk’s stealing the thunder once again with the New England Patriots,'” Gronkowski told Edelman. “Well, whatever you do, Patriots, don’t trade that pick! Don’t trade it — please don’t. We need it.”

Time will tell what New England does with the 69th pick, but with five selections in the first four rounds, Vrabel and company are poised to make some noise early in the draft. While trading back can be a useful strategy for rebuilding teams, the Patriots might be inclined to use most of their top picks on players depending on how the rest of free agency shakes out.