NFL mock drafts are all the rage these days — especially in New England, where the Patriots hold the No. 4 overall pick after a second consecutive 4-13 finish in 2024.
The Athletic put an interesting twist on a mock draft published this week, though, leaning on its NFL reporters to represent the teams they cover and make selections for the entire first round.
Trades were permitted as part of the “beat writer mock draft.” And what do you know? New England was at the heart of a hypothetical splash in Round 1.