With only two games left in the 2024 season, the Patriots are on
The New England Patriots put up a valiant fight against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, but they ultimately suffered yet another defeat. Losing with a final score of 24-21, they are now 3-12 on the season — one of the worst records in all of football heading into Week 17.
While the lack of success has been a constant in New England so far, so has been the view toward the future. One crucial part of it will be the upcoming NFL Draft; and for the Patriots, last weekend was a positive one in that regard.
2025 NFL Draft order: Week 17
The Patriots’ loss to the Bills kept them in contention for one of the top spots in the draft. In fact, they gained a position: after entering Week 16 ranked third on the draft table, they moved up into second position thanks to the Las Vegas Raiders’ 19-14 win over the Mac Jones-led Jacksonville Jaguars.
As a result, the Raiders fell from the first all the way to the sixth spot in the ranking:
The Patriots enter their Week 17 game against the 9-6 Los Angeles Chargers as one of five there-win teams. They rank higher than the others in the draft standings due to their inferior strength of schedule: New England’s opponents this year — including the Chargers and their Week 18 foe, the Bills — have won just 46.3 percent of their games, the lowest such number among the 3-12 squads.
This advantage would also put the Patriots in a competitive position compared to the current top-ranked team, the New York Giants. However, it would take a Giants victory in either Week 17 or 18 for that to come into play.
NFL 2025 draft odds
Even with two weeks remaining in the regular season, the Patriots are on a clear path toward the second overall selection in the draft. Their chances at earning that particular pick have been calculated at 36.4 percent, compared to 19.2 and 14.8 for the first and third.
The Giants control their own destiny for the top pick pic.twitter.com/ZPvtr42NBZ
— Doug Analytics (@Doug_Analytics) December 24, 2024
In order for New England to indeed finish no worse than second in the standing, they would have to lose out. Given the opponents — the aforementioned Chargers and Bills — that seems like a realistic outcome. However, one as-of-yet-to-be-determined factor might impact the second of those contests.
The Bills, who are currently still in contention for the top playoff seed in the AFC, are a candidate to rest their starters Week 18. If the Kansas City Chiefs lock up the top pick this weekend, Buffalo would have virtually nothing to play for in the regular season finale on either January 4 or 5.
Patriots picks in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Patriots will be well-positioned to add some impact players in the 2025 NFL Draft. Not only are they currently slated to select third overall, they also will own four total picks in the top 100:
- Round 1: Pick 2*
- Round 2: Pick 38*
- Round 3: Pick 69*
- Round 3: Pick 83* (via Atlanta Falcons)
- Round 4: TBD
- Round 5: TBD
- Round 7: TBD
- Round 7: TBD (via Tennessee Titans)
- Round 7: TBD (via Los Angeles Chargers)
*projected slots after Week 16
The Patriots’ projected draft slots changed a bit since last week. Not only did they move up in the first round, they only gained a position in the second and third. Their fourth pick, acquired via the Atlanta Falcons, dropped from 80 to 83.
Thanks to said trade with the Falcons (ED Matthew Judon) as well as moves with the Tennessee Titans (K Nick Folk) and Los Angeles Chargers (CB J.C. Jackson), the Patriots are in possession of nine picks in 2025 at the moment. Their complete portfolio projects as one of the most valuable in the NFL, in large part due to their high first-round pick.
Patriots needs in the 2025 NFL Draft
The Patriots will enter the 2025 offseason with needs across the board. While they do roster blue-chip talent at two of the most important positions on the field — quarterback and cornerback — they could benefit from upgrades almost everywhere else.
Their most glaring needs are offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle and outside linebacker. They could also opt to address those in free agency, where they are projected to be the league leaders in salary cap space.