The first team that is set to pick first within the AFC East is the New England Patriots. They currently hold the No. 4 overall pick, almost guaranteeing them a highly talented player who could potentially make a big impact right away. If it wasn’t for now-former Pats quarterback Joe Milton III having a great game in a meaningless Week 18 matchup against Buffalo’s third-stringers, New England would have the first overall pick.
The Bills, Dolphins, and Jets have had to watch the Patriots spend big this offseason especially on their defense. Now they will watch New England (right now) pick first in the division. The Patriots still have some needs to address on their roster, but they should be a lot better in 2025.
One thing that they still lack is firepower on offense. Now granted, they did sign wideout Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal, but he’s coming off of a torn ACL from last season and who knows how he will be on the field. New England will still need to add another dynamic playmaker on offense to be a threat to the Bills.
Latest NFL mock draft has Bills being forced to deal with top RB prospect for years to come
Sayre Bedinger from NFL Spin Zone recently dropped a mock draft that has the Patriots making the ultimate shocking pick of the draft, selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 4.
"How about this for a shocker selection? Mike Vrabel’s best teams with the Tennessee Titans included the workhorse Derrick Henry at running back. With all due respect to Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, Ashton Jeanty is in another league as a prospect. The Patriots might go with an offensive lineman here but I don’t think the possibility of them taking Jeanty off the board can be eliminated just yet. "Sayre Bedinger, NFL Spin Zone
Putting Jeanty in New England would give the Bills some problems defending the run. The Bills have struggled to consistently stop the run, and the Patriots always play the Bills hard without any true firepower. Now you put Jeanty in the backfield for the Patriots, the New England does look like true contenders to potentially challenge the Bills for the AFC East.
Bills fans should be hoping that New England messes up their first round pick by not drafting a dynamic playmaker to support Drake Maye, who looks like a franchise quarterback for sure.