Can the Patriots Lock Down the First Overall Pick in the 2025 NFL Draft?
It’s been a rough season for the New England Patriots. While there have been some highs like the projection of rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s potential, the season has mostly been a complete bust. New England is projected to obtain the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft if they lose once more to one of their divisional rivals in the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo may want to prevent a divisional rival, especially one like the Patriots to be taking the highest draft pick. It’s certainly a game of who wants to lose more. The Cleveland Browns have already obtained a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after losing to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday afternoon. While a win or a loss wouldn’t affect the Bills spot as the second seed in the AFC’s playoff picture, I’m sure a part of them wants to win this game to keep the momentum going, but in other cases, lose this game to prevent a team and a division rival like the Patriots grabbing the first overall pick.
Teams like the Patriots, Browns, New York Giants, and Tennessee Titans are all in the mix to have a top-three pick. A loss against the Bills could see New England with the top spot, then Cleveland and Tennessee. After eliminating the Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs in their Week 17 matchup, the Giants have dropped down to the fourth overall pick, however, a win by the Patriots or Titans could boost New York back into the top three. New England, Cleveland, and Tennessee have all carried a losing streak over to the final game of the regular season with at least five or more losses. With the Patriots taking on the Bills, and the Titans facing the Houston Texans, both Buffalo and Houston are prepared to rest their starters ahead of the playoffs. While both the Patriots and the Titans have something to prove to themselves in the final Week 18 matchup, both should absolutely look to lose in order to secure their draft positioning.
Buffalo’s backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky certainly has something to prove to continue his longevity as a quarterback in the NFL. He may upstart Buffalo’s offense even with the starters resting to do some damage against New England in their final game of the season. Drake Maye also has a ton to prove, but there shouldn’t be any pressure on the young quarterback to win this game. He needs all the help he can get, and securing the first pick in the draft should boost his confidence in getting a top-tier talent on the squad. While the Patriots could look upset if they lose this game, internally they’ll be as happy as they could ever be, once again possibly restarting a future dynasty to come just like in the Tom Brady Bill Belichick era.
