Patriots Insider Shares Crucial First-Round Intel Before NFL Draft

If the Patriots’ dream prospects are already off the board when they go on the clock April 24, there arguably is a clear best move for New England.

It would make sense for Mike Vrabel and company to try to trade down if the likes of Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are unavailable. Such a move would allow the rebuilding Patriots to gain more valuable draft capital while staying in position to select one of the best prospects in the class.

The problem? New England might not have an opportunity to pull it off.

In a mailbag column published Thursday, The Athletic’s Chad Graff was asked to assess the chances of the Patriots trading back in Round 1.

“Slim,” Graff wrote. “I talked to someone from a team who picks outside the top 10, and they said they’d be shocked if someone moved up for the fourth pick.”

Trading up into the top five is a move typically reserved for teams hell-bent on selecting one of the top quarterback prospects. Unfortunately for the Patriots, it’s a very weak year for signal-callers. After the Tennessee Titans select Cam Ward with the first overall pick, there’s a good chance it will be a long wait before the next QB is taken.

Thus, New England might be forced to stay put and turn in a draft card. And if you ask one top NFL draft guru, “all signs point to” the Patriots taking a player at a premium position.