With free agency in the books, all eyes are on the 2025 NFL Draft. It's the one night every year that can change the course of history for all 32 franchises. For the teams picking towards the top of the draft, you simply have to get this decision right.

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel is looking to kick off his tenure with a home run draft class headlined by one of this year's marquee talents. The Patriots have the fourth overall selection, but with Drake Maye locked in as the quarterback of the future, there's a chance for New England to cash in on the QB-needy teams this year. 

The best case scenario for Vrabel and the Patriots would be for two quarterbacks to go in the first three picks. Based on the way things have been tending over the last week, that seems like a very real possibility. 

It seems Vrabel is getting a gift from his former team…Actually, both of his former teams! The Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns seem to be positioning themselves to land a quarterback at the top of the draft, therefore guaranteeing that one of Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter stay on the board for New England at No. 4. 

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Titans telegraph QB plans

The Titans' new front office made a deliberate effort to purge their roster of Ran Carthon's questionable decisions. Linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. was traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a late-round pick swap and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was released despite Tennessee not being hard pressed for cap space.

Younger and cheaper. Build through the draft. That's the philosophy for the Titans…except when it comes to the offensive line. Tennessee was intentional about addressing the protection issue from 2024 with the signing of Dan Moore to a big contract that most feel was an overpay. Kevin Zeitler was also brought in on a one-year deal while JC Latham is expected to shift from left tackle to right tackle. 

Tennessee is cutting fat everywhere, but is spending big on pass protection. That reads "we are getting ready to draft Cam Ward" in my eyes.  

Garrett hints at Browns drafting a QB 

In a recent podcast interview with Andrew Siciliano, Cleveland Browns star edge rusher Myles Garrett confirmed that he "has an idea" about who Cleveland's next quarterback is going to be after conversations with the team this offseason. Those conversations were part of Garrett's negotiations before he signed a massive four-year extension with an average salary of $40 million per year and $123 million guaranteed.

"After conversations, I do have an idea [of who the quarterback is going to be]," Garrett said. "I like it enough to be here smiling in front of you. I think we have a good chance of that happening and making the most out of it."

I get the vibe that Garrett is buying in to the future of the Cleveland Browns. That screams "exciting rookie quarterback" more than it screams "Kirk Cousins on a one-year deal." 

Perhaps the Browns are getting ready to snag whichever QB the Titans pass on. Or maybe they're bluffing and looking to trade out of the pick to a team who gets desperate and comes up for a quarterback. Either way, the Patriots are sitting pretty at No. 4.

Patriots are in the perfect position

If the Titans and Browns end up doing what they're currently indicating, it would put Vrabel and the Patriots in such an enviable draft position. Taking best player available is never a bad call, but when that best player available also happens to be a face-of-the-franchise edge rusher or a generational two-way talent…You really can't go wrong.,

The best Mike Vrabel teams have a suffocating defense. That's what he is trying to build with the additions of Harold Landry III, Milton Williams, and Carlton Davis. Now imagine an Abdul Carter in that mix or Travis Hunter joining New England's secondary while also catching passes from Drake Maye. 

Every Patriots fan should be hoping to see Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders go off the board as early as possible. Luckily, it seems Mike Vrabel's former teams are delivering and giving the Pats a gift. 

7-round New England Patriots mock draft after the first week of NFL free agency

The 2025 NFL Draft will take place on April 24-26, 2025.