Given the weak draft class, some teams may opt to sign a quarterback in free agency or trade for a veteran rather than trading up for a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders, who hold the No. 6 overall pick, chose to address their quarterback need by trading for a veteran instead of moving up to secure one of the top prospects in the draft.
Las Vegas made a stunning move by trading a third-round pick for Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.
As a result, the Raiders are no longer in the starting quarterback market, and the Seahawks have emerged as a potential landing spot, per FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. Immediately after the trade, Sam Darnold became linked to the position of the Seahawks' open quarterback.
Sources: The #Seahawks, after trading Geno Smith to the #Raiders, have shifted their primary focus to Sam Darnold. He is their No. 1 option, and there is mutual interest on his behalf as well.
It is highly unlikely that Darnold returns to the #Vikings, according to multiple… pic.twitter.com/otbTOj3hTh
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 8, 2025
If the Seahawks sign Darnold, there will be another domino effect: the three teams picking ahead of the Patriots would have one fewer quarterback option off their board.
Darnold is the best quarterback on the market, and if he goes to the Seahawks, the top three teams would be more likely to draft a quarterback.
With one quarterback likely going in the top three, the Patriots might miss out on one of the top prospects. Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter and Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter are two of the best non-quarterbacks available.
Cleveland, Tennessee, and New York are likelier to take a quarterback in the top three if Darnold ends up in Seattle. That scenario could push one of the top non-quarterback prospects down to the Patriots.
The recent quarterback movement, along with Darnold being a strong candidate for the Seahawks, is a promising sign for the Patriots. It could help New England land one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Related: Why People Around NFL Believe Patriots Will Land Seahawks Star
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This story was originally published March 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM.