They’ll have a chance to secure a franchise-altering draft haul if they lose to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. If the season ended today, the Patriots would own the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft. A loss would help them secure the pick, but a win over the Bills on Sunday could ruin their draft position.

As for pinpoint trade-down partners and draft-board locales, the Jaguars, currently at No. 5, would be ideal. That'd theoretically provide the Patriots the most compensation and they'd almost assuredly be able to pick Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who emanates Tee Higgins-Drake London vibes on film.