Eliot Wolf
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Eliot Wolf.
The NFL draft is just a couple of weeks away, and experts are beginning to wonder about what the New England Patriots will do as it relates to their ample amount of draft picks in the back rounds. ESPN’s Mike Reiss floated around an idea that the Patriots could implement with all of their late-round draft picks.
The Patriots have two fourth-round picks and four sixth-round picks. Those draft picks take place on the third day of the draft. This could allow them to be able to trade picks if needed, to get into the earlier rounds. Reiss laid out his case for what the Patriots could potentially do in a piece published by ESPN on Thursday.
The Patriots have two fourth-rounders and four sixth-rounders and, according to some scouts, this year’s draft is not considered as strong on Day 3 as it was in 2025. So, the Patriots are expected to explore the possibility of using some of those Day 3 picks as chips in trades to better position themselves for players they are targeting earlier in the draft.
Recent History Is Promising For Patriots
The Patriots have an interesting recent history with fourth-round draft picks. They most recently drafted Craig Woodson and Joshua Farmer in the 2025 draft. Guard Layden Robinson and wide receiver Javon Baker made up the selections in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Quarterback Bailey Zappe, running back Pierre Strong Jr., and punter Jake Bailey were all selections in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Woodson and Zappe were both productive pieces for the Patriots. Woodson recorded 79 total tackles in 17 games. The California product also had a stellar postseason, as he recorded 29 tackles, an interception, and two pass breakups in four games. This included 10 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
Zappe Was Intriguing Piece For Patriots
Zappe was an interesting case. He helped the Patriots find some form of stability at the quarterback position as Mac Jones continued to struggle. The quarterback threw four 2,053 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in two seasons with the team. This included starting in 10 games in 2023, with six starts. That year, he threw for 1,272 yards, six touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The Western Kentucky product actually fared a bit better in 2022. We played in four games, making two starts that season. He threw for 781 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. He had a 70.6 completion percentage. Zappe was also a fan favorite during this timeframe, especially as Mac Jones struggled with injuries and inconsistencies that year.
It will certainly be interesting to see what the current group of Patriots does with these draft picks. You have an opportunity to build and add depth to the roster. On top of all this, it seems as though the rebuild that the organization originally planned to undergo is a bit ahead of schedule.
It all starts with roster building. The Patriots certainly have a chance to do that with those draft picks. One has to wonder if they will keep them all or if they will use them in order to trade back into the first couple of days of the draft. This could be an opportunity for the Patriots to really solidify the depth on their roster and continue to build a team that can routinely be contenders in the AFC.
Either way, it is an exciting time to be a Patriots fan, as they look to be in a prime position to play at a high level for years to come.