2025 NFL Draft: Ex-Patriots QB pushes franchise to 'seriously consider' blockbuster trade away from #1 pick

With one more game left in the 2024-2025 NFL regular season, the New England Patriots currently hold the No. 1 overall pick with a 3-13 record. If the Patriots lose their regular-season finale on Sunday to the Buffalo Bills, they will clinch the No, 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

While teams who pick No. 1 overall typically draft a quarterback, the Patriots very likely won't draft one as they picked Drake Maye in the first round of last year's draft, who has played well despite their lopsided record. The Patriots could surprise the world and draft a QB at No. 1, they could draft a skilled position guy like Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, or they could trade the pick for more draft capital.

Former Patriots quarterback Brian Hoyer thinks the Pats should heavily consider trading the No. 1 overall pick. He thinks depending on what they do in free agency, they should trade the pick to a team that needs a quarterback in a deal that would give them a lot more in return for the pick.

Hoyer tweeted:

"With as many needs as they have you have to seriously consider it. Depends on how they do in free agency and then the biggest question is who is willing to give up what to get that number 1 pick."

There is a chance the Patriots win against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, who announced they won't play their starters for that much in the game as they will rest for the playoffs.

If New England wins, there's a chance they will lose out on the No. 1 overall pick as the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and New York Giants each have 3-13 records as well.

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Exploring the New England Patriots' possibilities with the No. 1 overall pick

Jerod Mayo during Los Angeles Chargers v New England Patriots - Source: Getty

After selecting quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and hiring new head coach Jerod Mayo last season, it's not ideal for the New England Patriots to be selecting first overall in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Maye has shown flashes of being their franchise quarterback, throwing for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and rushing for 421 yards and two touchdowns this season in 12 games.

While the Pats are in prime position to select a top quarterback such as Colorado's Shedeur Sanders or Miami's Cam Ward, that likely won't be the case. The Patriots need more weapons on offense, need to improve their offensive line, and could use a premier pass rusher.

Colorado athlete (wide receiver/corner) Travis Hunter, as of now, seems like the consensus pick for a team that doesn't need a quarterback to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. New England could also go with Arizona State wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

As mentioned above, New England could trade the pick with a QB-needy team such as Cleveland or Las Vegas, or trade back with any other team interested in the first overall pick while getting more picks in return.