As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, the buzz around potential blockbuster trades is heating up—and the New England Patriots are right in the thick of it.
With a free agency period that focused heavily on shoring up the defense, the spotlight now shifts to how the team plans to bolster the offense around rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
While the draft presents an opportunity to fill some of those offensive gaps, there’s growing concern that top prospects like wide receiver Travis Hunter might be off the board by the time the Patriots make their pick at No. 4.
That possibility has sparked speculation that New England could pursue a different route—trading for a proven, young wideout instead of banking on a rookie from a later round.
At least one intriguing trade proposal has surfaced, and it’s the kind of move that could give Maye a much-needed weapon. Whether they pull the trigger or not, it’s a scenario the Patriots would be wise to seriously weigh.
New proposed trade has the Patriots add a 1,000+ yard receiver to Drake Maye’s arsenal
Sitting at No. 4 in the draft isn’t exactly ideal for the Patriots—especially if top prospects like Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are off the board.
In that case, trading down becomes a realistic and potentially rewarding option, particularly if it nets them both draft capital and a player.
Bleacher Report’s Mitch Milani floated an intriguing scenario where New England drops to the No. 7 spot via a trade with the Jets, sending pick No. 69 in the process.
In return, they’d not only receive the No. 7 pick but also land wide receiver Garrett Wilson. That sweetens the deal considerably.
On paper, it looks like a steal for the Patriots. They’d pick up a proven 1,000-yard receiver who’s just 24, while only sliding down three spots—still well-positioned to draft someone like left tackle Will Campbell.
That would check two major boxes: protecting Drake Maye and giving him a legitimate weapon right away.
But is the deal too good to be true? It raises some big questions: Who are the Jets targeting that’s worth moving up for? And why would they consider giving up on a young star like Wilson after just three seasons?
There is, however, some logic on the Jets’ end. Wilson is entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2025, and projections suggest he could command a hefty three-year, $70 million extension.
With a new regime calling the shots, New York might hesitate to commit that kind of money—possibly even opting against picking up his fifth-year option.
In that light, dealing Wilson now for real value rather than losing him for nothing in free agency starts to make sense. It’s a strategy Bill Belichick often used during his tenure in New England—unpopular at times, but often effective.
Whether or not the trade becomes a reality, it’s certainly a scenario the Patriots should keep on the table.
Landing Wilson would be a massive win for their offense and give Maye the kind of reliable target that can accelerate his development—all while staying in range to draft a top-tier lineman and keeping a third-round pick in hand.
