Patriots Trade Back Twice, Select More Drake Maye Support

FOXBORO, Mass. — The Patriots did some wheelin’ and dealin’ before making their second third-round pick of the 2025 NFL Draft.

New England initially jumped back eight spots, trading the No. 77 to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for picks No. 85 and No. 146. Did you think they were done? No shot. The Patriots then traded No. 85 to the Kansas City Chiefs for No. 95 and a fourth-round pick in 2026.

Georgia offensive lineman Jared Wilson ended up being the pick at No. 95, becoming yet another support piece for Drake Maye.

Wilson was the top center in the entire draft, according to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., despite having started for just one season at Georgia. The Patriots will hope what he showed in that lone season is enough to solidify their offensive line — with question marks surrounding potential options at that spot in Garrett Bradbury and Cole Strange.

Wilson certainly provides something different from those guys, as he’s the fastest center in the history of the combine — running a 4.84.

Carolina used No. 77 to select Ole Miss defensive lineman Princely Umanmielen, for those who are interested in that sort of thing. Kansas City selected California cornerback Nohl Williams at No. 85.