New England Patriots
Role Player
#PostPulpit Mailbag: What to do if Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter are gone?
Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/2025/4/11/24405564/patriots-mailbag-trade-rumors-first-round-nfl-draft
Photo by CFP/Getty Images
The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the upcoming NFL draft.
We are almost there. The NFL Draft is officially less than two weeks away as the New England Patriots host their final 30 visits to and put together their draft boards.
So let’s talk all things draft and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag.
It looks like Ward, Hunter, and Carter will be drafted 1-2-3 leaving Shedeur Sanders available at #4. Do you see a robust trade market for that #4 pick should it line up that way? - coolbeanz
If both the Browns and Giants pass on Sanders, I’m not sure how other teams would feel about moving up for him. But it only takes one team to like the player. Both the Raiders (No. 6) and Saints (No. 9) held Sanders on pre-draft visits and have a long-term need at the position. As did the Steelers (No. 21), although falling that far back in the first round may rule them out.
I’d take a serious look at both Las Vegas and New Orleans if they’re interested — where you could pick up an extra Day 2 selection and a later pick swap or future selection next year. New England has held recent visits with players like Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart, who project to be fringe top-10 selections. They could be putting together their board in that range in case the opportunity to slide back presents itself.
Two part question:
If Hunter’s gone before 1 (4) and no trade down materializes, do you see the Pats as a lock to go for OT and if not, who do you consider the viable alternatives? - wrw921
I would say OT — either Will Campbell or Armand Membou — is the heavy favorite with no Hunter or Carter available but would not lock them into that selection. If they go elsewhere, I’d look at Georgia’s Jalon Walker. It’s easy to see why there are fans of his in the building as he’s a versatile defender with plenty of juice and pass rush upside — who also is praised for his leadership abilities.
If the Pats select Carter or Hunter at #4, do you believe they’ll be forced to trade back into R1 to select the best available OT? - DennyLemaster23
Assuming one of Hunter or Carter falls to No. 4 and are the pick, the expectation is New England would add an offensive tackle of Day 2. They would not be “forced” to trade back into Round 1 as the board could work in the favor — especially if a third and fourth quarterback slip into the back half of the first round.
But, they can not miss the run on tackles like they did last year which saw five come off the board within 15 selections before New England took Caedan Wallace atop the third round. If they need to be aggressive to assure they land a Josh Simmons, Josh Conerly Jr., or Aireontae Ersery in the late 20s or early 30s instead of at 38, they should absolutely do so.
Bigger need for DL: OLB/speed rusher or DE/edge setter with pass rushing ability? - Spyponder90
Outside of Walker and Carter, New England’s meetings with players along the edge have been centered around prospects with more size. That included Shemar Stewart (267 pounds), Mykel Williams (267), Nic Scourton (257), and Femi Oladejo (261).
It’s also noteworthy that outside linebacker coach Mike Smith has a previous history of working with larger pass rushers — perhaps adding some more context as the type of player they ideally want along the edge.
“You look at the history of the guys that I have coached,” Smith said last week, “you think of the Rashawn Gary’s and the Zadarius Smith, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, and Danielle Hunter’s. I like big rushers. I like big athletic rushers.
When specifically asked about the 250-pound Carter later on, Smith did acknowledge that “these guys are starting to get smaller… It’s something you gotta adapt to.”
Would you trade #4 and one of our 3rd RD picks for Joe Alt? He’d be the BPA and fill a need if he were in this year’s draft. Not sure the Bolts would go for it but it would be interesting to dangle the offer in front of them. - NewEnglandWhalers
I probably would. If Joe Alt was in this draft he’d be the easy pick at No. 4 overall. I’d give up one of the two third-round picks to make that happen and fill their biggest position of need with a prospect of his caliber.
Outside of LT, are there any positions you would want to see targeted by the Patriots in this draft? - Sportzballer
Everything (except really quarterback and outside corner). But in this draft specifically, I hope they hit on running back, tight end, and defensive line. There’s a lot of good players at all those spots which should result in some good value.
Isn’t Safety a sneaky need for Patriots? Xavier Watts seems like a perfect fit. - HB47
Safety feels like more of a long-term need rather than immediate. Jabrill Peppers remains on the roster. Marte Mapu, Dell Pettus, and Jaylin Hawkins return. Marcus Epps was added in free agency. And the team will hope a healthy Kyle Dugger can return to his old form as next offseason is when they can easily move off of his contract.
If they were to take a safety I would look more on Day 3 where Watts would probably be off the board. Texas’ Andrew Mukuba and Virginia’s Jonas Sanker could be fits based off the skillset they are looking for.
Given the importance of TE on winning teams- think Kelsey, Kittle, Gronk, etc etc why don’t teams target TE in the top 5 of the draft? - PatriotsGlory
Outside of a rare prospect like Brock Bowers, the biggest thing with tight ends is that the position usually takes multiple years to develop in the NFL based on how different the usage is from the college game. Just look at the players taken at the position in the first round over the last 10-plus years: Eric Ebron (10th overall), O.J. Howard (19th), Evan Engram (23rd), David Njoku (29th), Hayden Hurst (25th), T.J. Hockenson (8th), Noah Want (20th), Kyle Pitts (4th), Dalton Kincaid (25th).
For the players who turned into contributors on this list, it took multiple years (and often a team change) to begin making a serious impact. There is the occasional Bower or Sam LaPorta (34th overall in 2023), but it is a risky position to target that high in the draft.
If New England was to take a chance early in this year’s class, I would prefer Colston Loveland (my TE1) in a potential trade up if he slides into the 20s.
Which wide receiver in the draft, likely to be available in the 2nd or 3rd round, do you think has the most potential to be a chain mover? I’m looking for clutch hands, durable, gets open quickly, gets yards after the catch. I see so many articles fixating on long speed, but the receiver is wafer thin and often injured, or “contested catch ability” which seems like code for “cannot separate.”
Where is the guy you most want to go to on third-and-eight? - WannaBePatsGM
You are looking for Emeka Egbuka, my friend, although he should be a first-rounder and absolutely will be a top-40 pick. On Day 2, I’d nominate TCU’s Jack Bech. He’s quicker than fast, physical (a former tight end), will make the first man miss and had just four drops over his collegiate career. Bech did struggle with injuries at times, but he fits the bill of the qualities you’re searching for.
I always liked LeGarrette Blount, 6’/247lbs. He’s not everyone’s favorite, but, it seems the Pats really miss that big back with explosion. Someone that can tire out a defense. At least used in tandem with a leaner partner.
The Pats currently have Jennings/217lbs, Stevenson/227lbs and Gibson/228lbs. Vrabel had Derrick Henry in Tenn, who is also a big back, 6’2”/247lbs. With RB a need and the success Henry had under Vrabel...if Mike was to lean towards a heavier back which ones may be a good fit for the Pats? - PatsHowYouDoIt
There aren’t many backs built like Blount or Henry these days. In fact, just four enter the draft weighing in over 240 pounds. If you’re looking for a more physical runner outside of Round 1, Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins is the top option with Miami’s Damien Martinez a personal favorite bruiser in the third or fourth round.
Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma St.) has an upright running style reminiscent of Henry but saw his stock drop after a disappointing season and Combine. Auburn’s Jarquez Hunter was also one of the most efficient runners inside the tackles and has a physical play style despite being 5’9”, 204 pounds.
When discussing the back that New England will draft, though, I can’t escape Robert Kraft’s comments at the league meetings about adding a “speed back.” Someone like Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson or Texas’ Jaydon Blue — both of whom had pre-draft contact with the team — in the third or fourth rounds make a lot more sense than a bruiser.
So, if this is what they call the NFL silly season, where you can’t trust any of the rumors you hear, is there any chance that all the things the Pats are saying about Campbell’s arm length just don’t matter as he isn’t their preferred choice, but are making people think he is to drive up the price of a prospective trade back? - Loiosh
Absolutely could be part of their play here. I like to think back to Bill Belichick’s comments on The Pat McAfee Show last year where he noted that the true draft leaks do not start until about 12 hours before the first round; and that everything that is out in the press now is mostly from agents. Only two more weeks.
That’s all for this week’s #PostPulpit mailbag. If you have questions you’d liked to be answered next week, submit them online in our weekly submission post or on Twitter using #PostPulpit. Make sure to be following @iambrianhines and @PatsPulpit as well.
Source: https://www.patspulpit.com/2025/4/11/24405564/patriots-mailbag-trade-rumors-first-round-nfl-draft
